What are personalized learning plans?

Personalized learning plans, also called individual learning plans, individualized learning plans, or learning contracts are plans that students co-generate with educators that articulate meaningful goals and expectations and a plan for working towards their goals.

Curated Resources

• Personalized Learning Plan explanation and Resources from The Learning Accelerator
• Vermont Personalized Learning Plan Conceptual Framework Narrative for Students –
  • Vermont Dept. of Ed Personalized Learning Plan for Success (blank template)
  • Vermont Dept. of Ed Personalized Learning Plan for Success (example filled in)
• Next Gen Tools: Personalized Learning Plans and Learner Profiles Information from Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC)
• Examples of student prompts for AI to Support Development of Personalized Learning Plans – Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC)
• Distinctive Schools Learner Profile Template
• CICS West Belden → Our Vision for Learner Profiles
• Self-Directed Learning Contracts – University of Waterloo (oriented for university students but includes related resources and may be helpful for ideas when adapting for other contexts)
• Learning Covenant – Frederick Glennon Video explanation (oriented for university students with interesting ideas that might be adapted for other contexts)

Articles on the Web

• Avallone (2017) Getting to Know You: Learner Profiles for Personalization
• Huh (2017) Scaling Personalized Learning at Distinctive Schools: Going Slow to Go Fast
• McTighe & Tucker (2022) Developing Self-Directed Learners by Design
• Scott (2023) Personalized Learning Plans: The reason why PLPs matter (infographic)

Research and Scholarship

(Select articles and chapters – this is not an exhaustive list)

• Bishop, P. A., Downes, J. M., Farber, K. (2021). Personalized learning plans: Purposes and opportunities. In Personalized learning in the middle grades: A guide for classroom teachers and school leaders. (pp. 45-76). Harvard Education Press
• Hackmann, D. G., Malin, J. R., Fuller Hamilton, A. N., & O’donnell, L. (2019). Supporting personalized learning through individualized learning plans. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 92(1-2), 63-70.
• McCarthy, B., & Schauer, K. (2017). Journey to personalized learning: Bright Future — A Race to the Top-District Initiative in Galt Joint Union Elementary School District. Retrieved from https://www.wested.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/resource-journey-to-personalized-learning.pdf
• Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, US Department of Education (2017) Issue Brief: Personalized Learning Plans. 1-11.
• Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. (2011). Student learning plans: Supporting every student’s transition to college and career. Retrieved from https://www.renniecenter.org/research/reports/student-learning-plans-supporting-every-students-transition-college-and-career
• Swartzlander, J. (2021). Identifying Essential Components of a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) for High School Students (Order No. 28315833). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2489593627).
• Vannest, K. J., Swindlehurst, K., Bishop, P. A., & Shepherd, K. G. (2025). The evidence for personalized learning plans: a systematic review of the literature for student outcomes and measures Grades 7-12. On the Horizon: The International Journal of Learning Futures, 33(1), 104-115.
• Welch, J. O. (2022). Student Voice and Personalized Learning Plans: A Youth Participatory Action Research Dissertation (Order No. 29394565). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2747918021).