The Student Learning Plan

January 15, 2016

Day 200 as an Oklahoma Teacher

     I think each student should have a student learning plan designed by a teacher, the students, and the parents. I know some of you are saying that we can't track students, and this plan would track students. Students will not be placed in ability groups; they will be placed in classes that relate to their interests or career choices. For example, if a student has a talent for art, then in an English class, the student can read, write, listen, speak, and learn vocabulary that relate to art. It means designing the curriculum to meet the needs of the students. If students have choices and complete work that matches their interests or career choices, then the curriculum would have relevancy.
     Now, what are some important pieces that should be added to this plan? Include an interest/career inventory, a schedule of available classes, yearly transcripts, yearly schedules, graduation requirements, vo-tech and concurrent enrollment information, scholarship information, graduation checklist, a resume', how to fill out a job application, test scores, and any other piece of information that will show where the student is and where the student needs to go. The educational plan should begin in the middle school to show students the big picture. If we have 11th grade students who take college classes, then it is important to discuss the opportunities available at each level. The portfolio would also contain artifacts, work samples from each class to show again what the student can do and what needs to be worked on in other classes. The traditional high school idea has become archaic, so innovative ideas should be considered to help every student.