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Student Learning Plans (SLP) are developed to both inform and guide students and parents regarding the respective role of the school, parents, and the student to systematically plan and monitor student academic success. Educators work with the student and the family to facilitate two-way communication and cooperative efforts to support the child’s success. Learning plans address individual needs with a step-by-step plan and results-focused activities designed to help students meet the state’s learning standards and stay on time for graduation.
In 2010, the legislation (ESSB 6604) revised the statute regarding the student learning plans. Only 8th grade students who did not make satisfactory progress on the 7th grade state assessment are required to have a student learning plan.
The following SLP sample templates were developed to help school districts conceptualize what a plan may look like. Schools and districts are encouraged to come up with a system and plan that best fits their students, school culture, and community uniqueness while still maintaining legislative requirements.
SLPs must be prepared for all students in 8th grade who were not successful on any or all of the content areas of the Smarter Balanced ELA and math during the previous year (7th grade) or who may not be on track due to academic deficiencies or absences. SLPs are maintained until the student meets standards on the Smarter Balanced ELA and math or Smarter Balanced retakes.
Grade 8: Parents and legal guardians will be notified annually (at least) about the information in the SLP. To the extent possible, the information will be translated into the primary language of the family. The learning plan will include
It should be noted that the plan does not move forward as the student enters high school. Connecting the SLP to planning for the student’s High School & Beyond Plan enables a seamless transition to 9th grade.
Plans must be completed within the school year. Although completed plans early in the year would provide more time to help students who do not meet standards on the Smarter Balanced ELA and math, the law allows plans to be completed any time within the school year.
Parent or legal guardian notification about the SLP will be at least once a year, preferably through a parent conference. Progress and plan modifications shall be reported annually to the parent/guardian.
Efforts should be made to locate state assessment results of students who transferred into the district. If a student did not take the state assessment (e.g., transferred from out-of-state, was absent, was a private or home-schooled student), a learning plan would only be required for 8th grade students who have academic deficiencies or have excessive absence rates that could interfere with transition to the next level of school.
As long as the student learning plans include the elements required in the law, districts have the option to either create learning plans for students receiving special education services, or to incorporate these learning plans into existing individual education plans (IEP). The law does not specifically address students eligible for special education services.
The 2004 Legislature required that SLPs be developed for students who participate in the Learning Assistance Program (LAP), beginning in the 2005-06 school year. These plans may be incorporated into other student achievement plans, such as the 8th grade SLPs, "High School and Beyond" plans, individual education plans, or achievement plans for groups of students.