Though some strides toward personalized learning can be made within states’ existing education policies, many barriers continue to exist, according to a report from the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, or iNACOL, a proponent of individualized, competency-based education plans for students.
The group lists seat-time restrictions, graduation requirements, educator and leader licensure requirements, funding rules, and policies on curriculum, assessments, and accountability as potential tripping points. But states such as Vermont and New Hampshire have made strides in helping districts work through those barriers.
Though increasingly popular, personalized learning has been criticized for potentially over-emphasizing assessment and lowering academic expectations for some students.
