To generate the competitive workforce needed to improve and maintain strong economies, state elected and appointed officials have embraced college and career readiness as a major outcome of secondary education. Recently, states have begun partnering with post-secondary institutions to develop common definitions of what college ready means and are working across state lines to strengthen the content of curricula for core courses. Increasingly state officials recognize that college ready and career ready are complementary but separate goals and are beginning to identify the career development opportunities that will help students become career ready. Individualized learning plans (ILPs) are becoming an important tool used by states to support youth in becoming college ready and career ready. The contents and names of ILPs vary from state to state.
Based upon several years of research investigating the nature and use of ILPs in states across the United States, the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth has merged the commonalities to provide a working definition of a quality ILP. This policy brief addresses a variety of policy issues necessary to advancing a quality ILP initiative. Includes recommendations for state officials, district/school officials, educators, organizations interested in supporting family engagement in schools, special education administrators and support organizations, national organizations, disability organizations, and Federal officials.
