Nature and Promise of Individualized Learning Plans

V. Scott Solberg, PhDSchool of EducationBoston University

National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth

Why ILPs (ICAPs)? Perspective on Transitions and CCR What are ILPs? Evidence Comparing ILPs and IEPs Promising Impact Indicators and Implementation

Practices

This Presentation Will Cover:

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Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL)’s Center for Workforce Development National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth, a

national technical assistance center

Focus on needs of ALL youth, including youth with disabilities and other disconnected youth ◦ Improve state and local policy◦ Strengthen workforce development service delivery◦ Improve competencies of youth service professionals◦ Engage youth and families

Supported by Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor

Who We Are

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It makes good economic sense (cents)

Why ICAPs [ILPs]?

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Dropout and Opportunity Crisis• Nationally, there are over 6.7 million out of

school non-working youth between the ages of 16 and 24

• Collectively reduce the tax base across their lifetimes by $1.56 trillion while

• Adding an estimated $4.75 trillion in social costs.

Belfield, C. R., Levin, H. M. & Rosen, R. (2012). The economic value of opportunity youth. Civic Enterprises. Retrieved from: http://www.civicenterprises.net/MediaLibrary/Docs/econ_value_opportunity_youth.pdf.

High school graduates who fail to complete a post-secondary training or degree program are likely to have nearly identical financial and occupational outcomes as high school dropouts

Neild, R. C. & Boccanfuso, C. (2010). Using State unemployment insurance to track student post-secondary outcomes. NASSP Bulletin, 94, 253-273.

Wisconsin Economic Future Tied to Career Development

“Between 2010-2040, the number of senior residents in Wisconsin will nearly double, increasing from 777,000 to 1,544,000.

Over the same time, our working age population will grow from 3,570,000 to 3,585,000, an increase of 0.4%.”

Working age population increase: 15,000Retirement age adults increase: 767,000

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Massachusetts Example

In comparison to high school dropouts, Each H.S. graduate contributes an additional $145,000

to state and local tax base across their lifetime while

Each four-year college graduate contributes over $330,000.

McLaughlin et al. (2007). State and local fiscal consequences of high school dropout problems in Massachusetts. Center for Labor Market Studies Publications. Paper 6.

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Opportunity Cost What is the cost to state and local economies when

our youth with disabilities are not provided with the secondary and post-secondary learning opportunities needed to enter the workforce?

We know that only xx% participate in the workforce and xx% are unemployed

These represent lost opportunities for the individual and our community.

International Classification of Functioning (WHO)◦Optimal development for youth with and without

disabilities: Extent to which the context (schools, after-school, family,

community resources) provides the learning opportunities and accommodations necessary to maximize functioning (Accommodations, RtI, Resiliency, SEL, Self Determination, etc.)

Initial CCR = Academic skills – SAT/ACT test scores (Achieve, 2008)

Secret: Career readiness drives college readiness

Perspective on Transitions and CCR

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Guideposts for Success (NCWD-Y)

School-based Preparatory Experiences Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning Youth Development & Leadership Opportunities Connecting Activities Family Involvement & Engagement

What All Youth Need for Successful Transition to Adulthood

States use different names – Student Success Plan in CT, Individual Career & Academic Plan in CO, many more

37 states and DC require or encourage ILPs ILPs typically begin in middle school Purposes:◦To personalize learning ◦To develop college and career readiness◦To prepare early to meet graduation requirements

Long history of individualized plans in Special Education Not the same as an Individualized Education Program (IEP)

What is an ILP?

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Which states require or encourage using ILPs?ILP Policy Map: http://www.dol.gov/odep/ilp/map/

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What is a Quality ILP?  A document consisting of:

(a) course taking and post-secondary plans aligned to career goals; and

(b) documentation of the range of college and career readiness skills that the student has developed.

A process that enhances the relevance of school and out-of-school learning opportunities, and provides the studentaccess to career development opportunities that involve building skills in self exploration, career exploration, and career planning and management.

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Develops Competency Skills Related to:◦ Self Exploration - Exploring their personal interests, skills,

values to better understand themselves ◦ Career Exploration - Learning about various career options

using online career information AND hands-on activities (meeting employers, job shadowing, career mentors, work experiences, etc.)

◦ Career Planning & Management - Defining own goals & plans for pursuing careers, postsecondary ed, & other life goals; Developing career & college readiness skills; Making informed decisions about secondary courses, in & out-of-school activities and postsecondary ed

Quality Career Development

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Evidence Indicators of Becoming Career Ready

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Identify one or more careers of interest Clearly describe plans to pursue the careers of interest Connect career plans to personal interests, skills &

values Identify how current courses relate to career plan Articulate skill & entry requirements for careers Engage in additional learning opportunities Describe their needed skills & future development plan

Solberg et al., (2013).

Students Classified as Becoming Career Ready Reported Better Resiliency/Self-Determination Skills

Higher academic self-efficacy

More career decision-making readiness

Lower psychological/emotional distress

Lower academic stress

Stronger motivation to attend school

More Promising EvidenceFindings from National Research Study

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Engaging in Quality

ILPs

IncreasesGoal

Setting

IncreasesMotivation

IncreasesAcademic

Self-Efficacy

Improves GPA, Career

Decision-Making

Readiness; Lowers Distress

Not replicated for youth with disabilities

?

Engaging In ILPs and Outcomes

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ILPs are not required by federal law. They are required by state law or executive edict.

ILPs do not replace IEPs.

Students work on their ILPs more regularly and own the ILP portfolio

ILPs should inform the IEP/Transition Planning process◦ Kentucky, the state legislative code specifically states that

transition services must be aligned with the student’s ILP

Comparing ILPs with IEPs

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Early Impact Indicators Breaks down silos between special education and school

counseling Increased engagement of general educators in transition

readiness activities Annual student-led parent-teacher conferences using

ILPs results in strong student self-advocacy Officials perceive it has increased students with

disabilities graduating with a general education diploma Increased access to transition assessments Access to ePortfolio/Career Info System makes career &

education plans portable, accessible outside school

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Promising ILP Implementation Strategies

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Engage students in activities involving Self-exploration, Career exploration, and Career planning & management

Use online career info systems/ E-Portfolios to make activities & plans easy to access anywhere, anytime (ensure Section 508 complaint)

Make career development activities part of regular school day - advisory periods, integrate into weekly class

Assign each student a mentor/advisor – same teacher or counselor from grade to grade who supports career dev.

Adopt student-led parent-teacher conferences & IEP meetings Engage employers & community partners – work experiences,

guest speakers, job shadowing, career mentors, career projects

Individualized Learning PlansHow-To Guide

“Promoting Quality Individualized Learning Plans: A How to Guide Focused on the High School Years”

www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp/how-to-guide Includes:

Lessons, activities & resources to support implementation of ILPs Strategies for gaining whole school buy-in Strategies for developing and monitoring ILP implementation

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Strategies & Tools forCareer Planning & Management

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Sample Lessons, Activities & Tools in the Online ILP How-to Guide address:• Job Search Skills• Youth Development and Leadership• Career and Work-Readiness Skills • Work-Based Learning • Financial Literacy

Access the guide online: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp/how-to-guide/section-1/career-planning-and-management/job-search-skills

Strategies & Tools forWork-based Learning Experiences

Engaging Youth in Work Experiences: An Innovative Strategies Practice Brief: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practice-briefs/engaging-youth-in-work-experiences

◦ Features strategies from 10 successful programs nationwideWork-based Learning Jumpstart: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/work-based-learningCh. 3 in High School High Tech Program Guide: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/hsht/program-guideGuide to Internships for Students with Disabilities: http://ncld-youth.info/Downloads/intern-guide-final.pdf Strategies for Youth Workforce Programs to Become Employer-Friendly Intermediaries, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/information-brief-12

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Engaging Families in Supporting Career Development

Briefs: Understanding the New Vision for Career Development: The Role

of Family, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/node/1463 Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success: Tips for Parents

and Families, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/information-brief-28 Helping Youth Build Work Skills for Job Success: Tips for Parents

and Families, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/information-brief-34 Tapping into the Power of Families: How Families of Youth with

Disabilities Can assist in Job Search & Retention, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/infobrief/tapping-into-the-power-of-families

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More Career Development Resources Using Career Interest Inventories,

http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practice-briefs/using-career-interest-inventories-to-inform-career-planning

Career Exploration in Action, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practice-briefs/career-exploration-in-action

Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success, http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills/

411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/411-on-disability-disclosure

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More Resources on ILPs

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ILP Fact Sheet: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/fact-sheet/individualized-learning-plan

Policy Brief: “Using Individualized Learning Plans to Produce College and Career Ready High School Graduates” http://www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp/produce-college-and-career-ready-high-school-graduates

ILP Resources Home Page: www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp Kick Start Your ILP (for Youth): http://

www.dol.gov/odep/ilp/kickstart.htm ILP Info Comic (for Youth): http://

www.dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/ShellySaves.htm

V. Scott Solbergssolberg@bu.edu

Mindy LarsonPh. 202.822.8405 Ext. 169

LarsonM@iel.org

NCWD/Youth: www.ncwd-youth.info Funded by ODEP, U.S. DOL: www.dol.gov/odep

Contact Us

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