Planning for ESSA Just Got Easier: Personalized Learning Alignment Guide
Steps three and four of the Five Step Planning Process have been totally redesigned to help district leaders quickly and efficiently gather stakeholder input, and develop customized action plans to implement personalized learning strategies through effective digital transitions, aligned to ESSA guidelines.
ESSA or not, our new simple, flexible and intuitive interface, district teams can now develop well written, research based plans that are full of practitioner-suggested strategies . Based on local needs, the frame and scope of each plan will vary - sometimes it will be very narrow to pilot a laptop program in one grade level or curricular area, while other plans may broadly address all gears and focus on professional development policies, procurement practices, or budgeting. Each plan should include a vision for student learning, specific supports for teachers, as well as a plan for evaluation and external communications - all prompts with sample language that are included in the new planning section!
The FRS Action Planning tool provides districts with a "sandbox" to collaborate as a team, set goals, and select from hundreds of practitioner created strategies that have been used in successful digital transitions like Moorseville (NC), Vista Unified School District (CA), Bristol Warren (RI), and Vancouver Public Schools (WA). District leaders can leverage strengths by assigning responsibilities, gathering and analyzing stakeholder perception data, tracking team progress toward established timelines, and exporting their plan at any time.
This tool is 100% aligned to the guidance provided by the US Department of Education in October 2016 regarding ESSA's Title IV planning requirements. If your team completes all of the sections in step four, your Title IV plan will be complete - so there is no need to double up your efforts. A quick reminder that step one is the only readiness tool mentioned for purposes of self-assessment should a district meet the $30,000 grant threshold.
And, if your state is submitting the comprehensive plan in September 2017, here are places within the consolidated planning templates where you may want to insert what you have developed within steps three and four.