Individual Plan of Study

As students navigate through high school and into career and college, it is important that they set educational goals and create a roadmap for success. This roadmap, or Individual Plan of Study, includes the development of a flexible career focus and an education plan to assure a successful transition to further education after high school (postsecondary education, i.e. technical, 2 yr. or 4 yr. colleges and universities) and/or the workforce. The Kansas State Board of Education expects all school districts to implement Individual Plans of Study for all students beginning in the middle grades.

What is an Individual Plan of Study?

An Individual Plan of Study (IPS) is both a product and a process that students may use with support from College Career Centers, school counselors, teachers, and families to help them define their career goals and postsecondary plans and make informed decisions about their courses and activities throughout high school.
The process of examining self-interest and aptitudes, setting goals, and laying out a plan that will lead toward those goals will serve students long after they have left high school.

How and when is the IPS used?

The IPS is not a one-time activity, but an ongoing process by which students define, explore, and then refine their interests and goals throughout high school. Students usually begin using an IPS in middle school to guide their decisions about high school courses and start a process of career and college exploration.

The IPS is more effective when it is regularly reviewed and updated beginning in middle school and continuing through and beyond high school. Quality IPS activities provide opportunities for students to engage in three phases of skill development: 1) self-exploration, 2) career exploration, and 3) career planning.

Self-exploration activities develop a student's ability to identify career interest, skills, and work values.
Career exploration activities develop a student's ability to connect their interests, skills, and values to a range of career options, identify the school courses and employability skills needed to enter careers of interest, and identify corresponding post-secondary pathways.
Career planning activities help students develop a range of skills related to acquiring job search skills needed to secure employment: developing career readiness skills; and developing the traits, work habits and behaviors needed to navigate career changes and pursue growth opportunities throughout a lifetime.

What information is included in an IPS?

The IPS includes information specific to each student that families, students, and school personnel can use to guide decision making and monitor students’ progress toward goals. The IPS may include the following information: skills, abilities, hobbies, and accomplishments; graduation requirements; current and past classes and activities; grades and test scores; examples of student work; results from career, college, and interest inventories; personal goal statements; work based learning experiences and, college and financial planning activities.

How can families participate in the development of the IPS?

It is important for families to show an active interest and support for their student’s interests and abilities, as well as the IPS process. One way family members help influence their student’s perspectives of work and postsecondary education is by providing a variety of life experiences. By communicating perceptions of work,
parents help contribute to their student’s personal, career, and academic development.

Although the school is responsible for the development of an IPS, it is important for families to contribute and participate in their student’s IPS process. Families should attend any and all of the Parent/Teacher Conferences or school meetings in which the IPS may be discussed, developed, or updated.

To provide input into the IPS process families could consider:

Their student's strengths and challenges
How he/she learns best
What he/she enjoys doing
His/her special talents
Their main hopes for their student this year
The long-term goals for their student
Other services supporting their student
Questions they may have about their student's future

Families may also be asked to provide their signature on the IPS. This ensures that the families have participated in the discussion and the development of the IPS.

It is important to understand that the IPS is a flexible product that is built on the student’s interests and skills. It is understood that a student’s interests may change at any time in the IPS process and the IPS can be adjusted accordingly.

Do students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) also need an Individual Plan of Study (IPS)?

Say Hello to Xello!

Xello is an online program your child is using in school to help them prepare for the future and build their Individual Plan of Study. It offers a variety of activities from 6^th to 12^th grade. These activities help students build self-knowledge, explore their options, and create achievable plans. They develop the 21st-century skills needed to thrive in the world of work.

Postsecondary Assets

Postsecondary Assets (PSA) support students in a seamless, successful postsecondary transition to college or career. Represented by Student Success Outcome 2 of our Every Student Future Ready strategic plan: Prepare students for life, college and career success. The percentage of students earning five or more postsecondary assets prior to graduation will reach at least 50% by 2029.

Youth apprenticeships
40 or more community service hours
Client-centered Projects
Workplace learning experience directly related to a student's IPS
Industry-recognized certifications
Seal of Biliteracy
ACT Composite (score of 21 or higher)
WorkKeys Level (Silver or higher)
9+ college hours
State assessment scores of 3 or 4 for math, ELA, science (demonstrating College Readiness)
ASVAB per the requirements of the military branch selected
SAT score (1200 or higher)
Completing the Board of Regents Curriculum
International Baccalaureate Exam (4+)
Advanced Placement Exam (3+)
CTE Scholar
Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Scout
4-H Kansas Key Award
Two or more high school athletics/activities
JROTC
95% attendance in high school
Senior exit interview/senior projects
CTSO officers - state level only

PROGRAM OF STUDIES