Bill Text: NJ A4453 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Flexible Pathways Initiative in the Department of Education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-11-18 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A4453 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A4453-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TROY SINGLETON
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Flexible Pathways Initiative in the Department of Education.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing a Flexible Pathways Initiative in the Department of Education and supplementing chapter 7C of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. There is established in the Department of Education a Flexible Pathways Initiative. The purpose of the initiative shall be to encourage and support the creativity of school districts in developing high-quality educational experiences for their students. These educational experiences shall be designed to accommodate each student's individual goals, learning styles, and abilities in ways that increase the rates of secondary school completion and postsecondary continuation.
2. The Commissioner of Education shall develop a Flexible Pathways guidance document for use by school districts, which includes model policies and curriculum requirements for the programs and services required pursuant to the provisions of this act. The document shall be designed to assist school districts to: identify and support elementary and secondary students who require additional assistance to succeed in school and to indentify ways in which students would benefit from flexible pathways to graduation; and undertake an individualized planning process pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of this act. The document shall be reviewed annually, and shall be updated as necessary to ensure that its content reflects the most current information available on the programs and services required pursuant to this act.
The commissioner shall provide each school district with the necessary technical assistance, including guidance and support, to meet the requirements of this act.
3. A school district shall work with each student in kindergarten through grade 12 in an individualized planning process that culminates in the development of a personalized learning plan for the student. A personalized learning plan shall: identify the student's emerging abilities and aptitude; include the participation of teachers, parents or guardians, and the student, as age-appropriate; and guide decisions regarding the appropriate instructional approach and educational experiences for the student.
Personalized learning plans shall be used by school districts to: create opportunities for students to pursue flexible pathways to graduation; and increase the likelihood that students will pursue postsecondary education and training. Personalized learning plans shall be updated annually.
4. A school district that includes one or more high schools shall develop policies that provide its students with a diverse array of flexible pathways to graduation. Flexible pathways that shall be offered in each district include, but need not be limited to: applied or work-based learning opportunities such as career and technical education and internships, virtual learning and blended learning opportunities; dual enrollment opportunities with institutions of higher education; and an early college program.
5. A school district that includes one or more middle schools or high schools shall provide students in grades 7 through 12 with career development and postsecondary planning resources, including information on the flexible pathways available to a student pursuant to section 4 of this act.
6. The Commissioner of Education shall develop an Early College Program that enables high-achieving 12th grade students to complete high school while enrolled as a full-time student at a participating public institution of higher education.
The commissioner shall select public institutions of higher education to participate in the Early College Program. The commissioner, in consultation with partnering institutions of higher education, shall establish curriculum for the program. All completed coursework in the program shall be fully transferable and credited towards the student's high school graduation requirements.
The commissioner shall annually disseminate to each school district information on the Early College Program, including information on how a student may qualify for admission into the program and how a student may apply coursework completed through the program to high school graduation requirements.
7. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes in the Department of Education a Flexible Pathways Initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to encourage and support the creativity of school districts in developing high-quality educational experiences for their students. These educational experiences will be designed to accommodate each student's individual goals, learning styles, and abilities in ways that increase the rates of secondary school completion and postsecondary continuation.
Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education must develop a Flexible Pathways guidance document for use by school districts, which includes model policies and curriculum requirements for the programs and services required pursuant to the bill's provisions. The commissioner must also provide each school district with the necessary technical assistance, including guidance and support, to meet the bill's requirements.
The bill directs a school district to work with each student in kindergarten through grade 12 in an individualized planning process that culminates in the development of a personalized learning plan for each student. A personalized learning plan will: identify the student's emerging abilities and aptitude; include the participation of teachers, parents or guardians, and the student, as age-appropriate; and guide decisions regarding the appropriate instructional approach and educational experiences for the student. Personalized learning plans will then be used by school districts to: create opportunities for students to pursue flexible pathways to graduation; and increase the likelihood that students will pursue postsecondary education and training.
The bill requires a school district that includes one or more high schools to develop policies that provide its students with a diverse array of flexible pathways to graduation. Flexible pathways that will be offered in each district include, but need not be limited to: applied or work-based learning opportunities such as career and technical education and internships, virtual learning and blended learning opportunities; dual enrollment opportunities with institutions of higher education; and an early college program. The bill also requires a school district that includes one or more middle schools or high schools to provide students in grades 7 through 12 with career development and postsecondary planning resources.
Finally, the bill directs the Commissioner of Education to develop an Early College Program that enables high-achieving 12th grade students to complete high school while enrolled as a full-time student at a participating public institution of higher education.
