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1 H.739
2 Introduced by Representatives Hango of Berkshire, Birong of Vergennes,
3 Sibilia of Dover, Austin of Colchester, Stone of Burlington,
4 Bartley of Fairfax, Beck of St. Johnsbury, Boyden of
5 Cambridge, Branagan of Georgia, Brennan of Colchester,
6 Brumsted of Shelburne, Carpenter of Hyde Park, Clifford of
7 Rutland City, Demar of Enosburgh, Dolan of Essex Junction,
8 Dolan of Waitsfield, Goslant of Northfield, Graham of
9 Williamstown, Gregoire of Fairfield, Higley of Lowell,
10 Houghton of Essex Junction, Labor of Morgan, LaBounty of
11 Lyndon, Lipsky of Stowe, Maguire of Rutland City, McFaun of
12 Barre Town, Morgan of Milton, Morris of Springfield,
13 Morrissey of Bennington, Ode of Burlington, Oliver of
14 Sheldon, Parsons of Newbury, Peterson of Clarendon,
15 Rachelson of Burlington, Smith of Derby, Taylor of Milton,
16 Toof of St. Albans Town, Walker of Swanton, and Williams of
17 Granby
18 Referred to Committee on
19 Date:
20 Subject: Education; flexible pathways; personalized learning plan; Armed
21 Services VT LEG #372914 v.2
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1 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require school
2 districts to include military-related options in career development and
3 postsecondary planning resources as part of the Flexible Pathways Initiative
4 and a student’s personalized learning plan. The bill also proposes to require
5 the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to include information regarding
6 all military-related options available for postsecondary planning and financial
7 aid opportunities in all planning resources it produces.
8 An act relating to raising awareness of military-related postsecondary
9 opportunities
10 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
11 Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 941 is amended to read:
12 § 941. FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS INITIATIVE
13 (a) There is created within the Agency a Flexible Pathways Initiative:
14 (1) to encourage and support the creativity of school districts as they
15 develop and expand high-quality educational experiences that are an integral
16 part of secondary education in the evolving 21st Century century classroom;
17 (2) to promote opportunities for Vermont students to achieve
18 postsecondary readiness through high-quality educational experiences that
19 acknowledge individual goals, learning styles, and abilities; and VT LEG #372914 v.2
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1 (3) to increase the rates of secondary school completion and
2 postsecondary continuation and retention in Vermont.
3 (b) The Secretary shall develop, publish, and regularly update guidance, in
4 the form of technical assistance, sharing of best practices and model
5 documents, legal interpretations, and other support designed to assist school
6 districts:
7 (1) to To identify and support secondary students who require additional
8 assistance to succeed in school and to identify ways in which individual
9 students would benefit from flexible pathways to graduation;.
10 (2) to To work with every student in grade 7 seven through grade 12 in
11 an ongoing personalized learning planning process that:
12 (A) identifies the student’s emerging abilities, aptitude, and
13 disposition;
14 (B) includes participation by families and other engaged adults;
15 (C) guides decisions regarding course offerings and other high-
16 quality educational experiences; and
17 (D) identifies career and postsecondary planning options using
18 resources provided pursuant to subdivision (4) of this subsection (b); and
19 (D)(E) is documented by a personalized learning plan;.
20 (3) to To create opportunities for secondary students to pursue flexible
21 pathways to graduation that:
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1 (A) increase aspiration and encourage postsecondary continuation of
2 training and education;
3 (B) are an integral component of a student’s personalized learning
4 plan; and
5 (C) include:
6 (i) applied or work-based learning opportunities, including career
7 and career technical education and internships;
8 (ii) virtual learning and blended learning;
9 (iii) dual enrollment opportunities as set forth in section 944 of
10 this title;
11 (iv) early college programs as set forth in subsection 4011(e) of
12 this title;
13 (v) the High School Completion Program as set forth in section
14 943 of this title; and
15 (vi) the Adult Diploma Program and General Educational
16 Development Program as set forth in section 945 of this title; and.
17 (4) to To provide students, beginning no not later than in grade 7 seven,
18 with career development and postsecondary planning resources to ensure that
19 they are able to take full advantage of the opportunities available within the
20 flexible pathways to graduation and to achieve their career and postsecondary
21 education and training goals. Resources provided pursuant to this subdivision VT LEG #372914 v.2
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1 shall include information regarding the admissions process and requirements
2 necessary to proceed with any and all military-related opportunities.
3 (c) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as discouraging or
4 limiting the authority of any school district to develop or continue to provide
5 educational opportunities for its students that are otherwise permitted,
6 including the provision of Advanced Placement courses.
7 (d) An individual entitlement or private right of action shall not arise from
8 creation of a personalized learning plan.
9 Sec. 2. 16 V.S.A. § 2828 is added to read:
10 § 2828. PLANNING RESOURCES
11 The Corporation shall include information regarding all military-related
12 options available for postsecondary planning and financial aid opportunities in
13 all planning resources it produces.
14 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
15 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
VT LEG #372914 v.2
Statutes affected: As Introduced: 16-941