Vermont H 87: An act relating to raising awareness of military-related postsecondary opportunities

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.87
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VT LEG #378660 v.1
H.87 1
Introduced by Representatives Hango of Berkshire, Austin of Colchester, 2
Birong of Vergennes, Sibilia of Dover, Stone of Burlington, 3
Bartley of Fairfax, Boyden of Cambridge, Coffin of Cavendish, 4
Goslant of Northfield, Gregoire of Fairfield, Higley of Lowell, 5
Kascenska of Burke, Keyser of Rutland City, Laroche of 6
Franklin, Luneau of St. Albans City, McFaun of Barre Town, 7
Morgan, L. of Milton, Morgan, M. of Milton, Noyes of 8
Wolcott, Page of Newport City, Pinsonault of Dorset, 9
Southworth of Walden, and Tagliavia of Corinth 10
Referred to Committee on 11
Date: 12
Subject: Education; flexible pathways; personalized learning plan; Armed 13
Services 14
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require school 15
districts to include military-related options in career development and 16
postsecondary planning resources as part of the Flexible Pathways Initiative 17
and a student’s personalized learning plan. 18
An act relating to raising awareness of military-related postsecondary 19
opportunities 20

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VT LEG #378660 v.1
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 1
Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 941 is amended to read: 2
§ 941. FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS INITIATIVE 3
(a) There is created within the Agency a Flexible Pathways Initiative: 4
(1) to encourage and support the creativity of school districts as they 5
develop and expand high-quality educational experiences that are an integral 6
part of secondary education in the evolving 21st Century century classroom; 7
(2) to promote opportunities for Vermont students to achieve 8
postsecondary readiness through high-quality educational experiences that 9
acknowledge individual goals, learning styles, and abilities; and 10
(3) to increase the rates of secondary school completion and 11
postsecondary continuation and retention in Vermont. 12
(b) The Secretary shall develop, publish, and regularly update guidance, in 13
the form of technical assistance, sharing of best practices and model 14
documents, legal interpretations, and other support designed to assist school 15
districts: 16
(1) to To identify and support secondary students who require additional 17
assistance to succeed in school and to identify ways in which individual 18
students would benefit from flexible pathways to graduation;. 19
(2) to To work with every student in grade 7 seven through grade 12 in 20
an ongoing personalized learning planning process that: 21

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VT LEG #378660 v.1
(A) identifies the student’s emerging abilities, aptitude, and 1
disposition; 2
(B) includes participation by families and other engaged adults; 3
(C) guides decisions regarding course offerings and other high-4
quality educational experiences; and 5
(D) identifies career and postsecondary planning options using 6
resources provided pursuant to subdivision (4) of this subsection (b); and 7
(D)(E) is documented by a personalized learning plan;. 8
(3) to To create opportunities for secondary students to pursue flexible 9
pathways to graduation that: 10
(A) increase aspiration and encourage postsecondary continuation of 11
training and education; 12
(B) are an integral component of a student’s personalized learning 13
plan; and 14
(C) include: 15
(i) applied or work-based learning opportunities, including career 16
and career technical education and internships; 17
(ii) virtual learning and blended learning; 18
(iii) dual enrollment opportunities as set forth in section 944 of 19
this title; 20

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VT LEG #378660 v.1
(iv) early college programs as set forth in subsection 4011(e) of 1
this title; 2
(v) [Repealed.] 3
(vi) adult education and secondary credential opportunities as set 4
forth in section 945 of this title; and. 5
(4) to To provide students, beginning no not later than in grade 7 seven, 6
with career development and postsecondary planning resources to ensure that 7
they are able to take full advantage of the opportunities available within the 8
flexible pathways to graduation and to achieve their career and postsecondary 9
education and training goals. Resources provided pursuant to this subdivision 10
shall include information regarding the admissions process and requirements 11
necessary to proceed with any and all military-related opportunities. 12
(c) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as discouraging or 13
limiting the authority of any school district to develop or continue to provide 14
educational opportunities for its students that are otherwise permitted, 15
including the provision of Advanced Placement courses. 16
(d) An individual entitlement or private right of action shall not arise from 17
creation of a personalized learning plan. 18
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 19
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 20