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New tool allows students to
create personal learning plans
High school students across South Dakota
now have access to a powerful academic and career planning tool.
The Department of Education and the Education Assistance
Corporation have teamed up to provide high school students with
an online tool that allows them to create their own personal
learning plan. The effort is part of the Governor’s 2010
Education Initiative.
“One of our major goals with 2010E is to
increase the number of students who graduate from high school
and go on to postsecondary education,” said Secretary of
Education Rick Melmer. “This tool supports that goal by helping
students, and their parents, create a plan that fits the
student’s unique goals and helps to ensure a smooth transition
from high school to higher education.”
The online software package, called
Guidance Central, consists of three components. The first
component introduces students to a variety of careers through
video clips, quizzes and blogs. The second gauges the student’s
skills, interests and values. It allows for side-by-side
comparisons of careers, considering elements such as academic
preparation and potential career earnings. The third component
features practice tests to prepare students for college entrance
exams.
“Too often we see students enter higher
education unprepared for a specific academic path,” Melmer said.
“It’s not that their high school preparation wasn’t adequate.
It’s more about making sure students’ academic experience in
high school aligns with their postsecondary goals. This package
pulls it all together.”
Students use the software to identify possible career paths,
postsecondary schools that offer programs in the chosen area,
and high school courses necessary to meet entrance requirements
into a particular postsecondary program. All are key components
of a personal learning plan.
The online software package is being
provided free to schools by the Education Assistance Corporation
in Aberdeen. “Education Assistance Corporation is committed to
helping students and their families have access to the
information and tools they need to make postsecondary education
possible,” said Clark Wold, EAC’s president. “We’re pleased to
partner with the Department of Education on this important
project.”
To date, more than 165 schools and
multidistricts have been trained to use the software package
with their students. Private schools, tribal schools and schools
operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in South Dakota also
have access to the program.
Governor Rounds’ 2010 Education Initiative calls for South
Dakota to become first in the nation for the percentage of
students going on to college or technical school. Schools across
South Dakota are implementing a variety of strategies which
target that goal. Besides personal learning plans, these
strategies include implementing more rigorous graduation
requirements, senior projects, programs that connect K-12
schools to business, virtual learning, and one-to-one laptop
initiatives through South Dakota’s Classroom Connections.
To learn more about getting Guidance Central for your school
district, contact Steve Rounds at the South Dakota Department of
Education, (605) 773-7006,
steven.rounds@state.sd.us.
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