Bill > S438

This bill aims to establish a comprehensive approach to student academic and career planning by requiring all public school districts to develop individual learning plans (ILPs) for high school students beginning in ninth grade. The bill defines key terms, including "college and career pathway program" as a high school-based program offering sequenced academic and work-based learning experiences, and "MyCAP" (My Career and Academic Plan) as the process for creating these individual learning plans using an online platform. Under the proposed legislation, students will work with a designated educator to create a detailed academic pathway that can be continually adapted throughout their secondary education, focusing on coursework, experiences, and post-secondary goals. Districts will be required to support students in developing these plans, make efforts to provide experiences aligned with students' goals, and report annually to the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on their progress. The bill allows districts to begin developing these plans even earlier than ninth grade and mandates that the state education department develop guidance to ensure district compliance. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on September 1, 2028, giving schools ample time to prepare and implement the new planning process.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S438