PERSONALIZE

EMPOWER | PERSONALIZE | DESIGN | PARTNER

Personalize learning pathways for students

Learning should ignite the individual interests and passions of our students. By creating learning pathways for students, we can make learning relevant and engaging while connecting children with the supports they need to be successful in school.

Objective 3: Every Grand Island student will have meaningful, personal connections to support their own well-being and develop their confidence, resiliency, and adaptability.

Progress Indicators

1. Increase in social health and mental health services for students based in or coordinated by schools.

2. Increase in supports that overcome student barriers to learning as measured by a principal survey.

3. Increased percentage of students participating in after-school activities.

Strategic Initiatives

1. Establish one community school in each quadrant and assess its impact on student outcomes.

2. Ensure that students have access to an adult or peer mentor by:

   • Providing training and support to all staff so they are equipped to serve as college and career advisors to students.

   • Developing a student peer mentoring program spanning grades 6 -12.

   • Assigning students community mentors based on career interests.

3. Encourage participation in expanded learning opportunities (ELOs) by:

   • Identifying under-utilized ELOs in the community (e.g., SEE Camp, school offerings, and opportunities at magnet or alternative schools) and encouraging student participation.

   • Offering incentives to schools and staff to provide additional after-school programming.

4. Expand GIPS’ early childhood education programs.

5. Increase transportation options to enable all students to participate in ELOs, community services, and school.

6. Increase opportunities and supports for new GIPS students who lack previous school experience, such as early learning opportunities, jump start programs, summer school, ELOs, Welcome Center supports, community support centers, and family cultural brokers.

Objective 4: Every Grand Island student will be empowered to take ownership of their learning and have skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity through rigorous academic instruction and personalized, real-world learning experiences.

Progress Indicators

1. Increased number and diversity of career pathways.

2. Increased number of students completing pathways.

3. Increased number of students participating in community learning experiences (e.g., internships, apprenticeships, and service learning).

4. Increased percentage of students participating in gifted and talented, Advanced Placement, dual credit, or similar classes as needed and approved by the district.

Strategic Initiatives

1. Create a personalized learning plan for every student that is used regularly, updated periodically, and allows students to have voice and choice in their learning.

2. Identify Grand Island Preparatory Academies (GIPAs) and clearly connect them to Nebraska Department of Education Career Clusters and regional workforce needs.

3. Develop a system to align curriculum to academies, pathways, courses, content, and skills.

4. Leverage technology to provide students with flexible, personalized learning options.

5. Develop processes to educate and coach students, teachers, staff, and families to ensure they are informed about GIPA clusters and the selection process.

6. Provide students with relevant exposure to career options, such as career fairs and job shadowing, both within and outside the walls of Grand Island Public Schools.

7. Develop relationships with higher education institutions, including community colleges and local universities, to ensure credits earned at Grand Island Senior High transfer to post-secondary institutions.

8. Increase the number of gifted and talented, Advanced Placement, dual credit, or similar classes as needed and approved by the district.