For over a decade, Vermont educators and state leaders have been working to establish competency-based education in schools, including high schools. In 2013, the state launched the Flexible Pathways Initiative to help school systems adopt personalized, competency-based learning, while also expanding work-based learning opportunities. This includes the development of a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) for every student. To further support the goals of the Flexible Pathways Initiative and the shift to personalized, competency-based learning, the state adapted its graduation requirements so that students earn credit based on demonstrations of proficiency, not just seat time. State leaders also published the Vermont Work-Based Learning Manual Guidelines to provide school systems with guidance on connecting students with high-quality work-based learning opportunities as part of the Flexible Pathways options.
To further support these efforts, state leaders have developed and shared resources—content-area specific guides and resources to aid in the development of new, local assessments, grading systems, and transcripts—for educators to help them make the necessary instructional shifts in the classroom.
Building on this strong foundation, state leaders can advance high school redesign efforts by launching a statewide initiative with dedicated resources to incentivize community-led high school redesign, expanding access to advanced coursework, and more closely aligning diplomas with postsecondary admissions requirements.
