Most form tutors sit down with their students and the students’ parents at least twice a year to discuss the student’s attainments and future goals – and sketch out a plan for attaining these goals. This conversation is usually based on the student’s ILP, which includes both academic goals and social skills.
Unlike a course planner, the ILP focuses on the individual learner, not a class, course or group. It addresses specific goals and learning objectives for a specific period of time.
An ILP that’s easy to update
In itslearning, each student has their own ILP which includes information from all the courses the student follows. Anytime a teacher updates the student’s plans, results or assessments in the subject they teach, the information is automatically updated in the student’s ILP. This makes it simple for mentors, parents and administration staff to keep track of a student’s individual goals and achievements.
It’s also important because goals in one subject may be relevant to other subjects. For example, a student may have the following ILP goal: Read with increasing accuracy and fluency. Although primarily a goal for language courses, the student may also pursue this goal in courses such as history, geography and social science.
Who benefits from the ILP?
Students: the ILP increases the student’s knowledge and perception of their own learning. It gives them greater opportunity to take responsibility for their own studies – and so helps increase their motivation.
Parents: the ILP helps parents keep track of their child’s progress, and enables them to take an active role in their education.
Mentors and form tutors: the ILP makes it easier to follow individual students’ progress, and to monitor results.
School administration staff: the ILP creates continuity when, for example, the student changes school, teachers or class – and helps ensure the school meets regulatory requirements as ILPs are now a legal requirement in many countries.