According
to a report released by the RAND Corporation, customizing instruction for every
student can generate improvements in math and reading scores. Results from the
study show that schools using a variety of practices that focus on
individualized learning needs of students relate to positive effects on
achievement – though this requires confirmation by further research. Recommendations
for policymakers include incorporating flexibility
into policies related to course progressions, allowing staff to have some
autonomy to design school schedules that support PL, and incorporating grading
policies to incorporate competency-based approaches, and clearly communicate
these approaches to students, families, employers, and postsecondary education
institutions. Recommendations for implementers at the district and school
levels include providing teachers with the resources and time to pilot new
instructional approaches and gather evidence of how well they work, providing teachers
with time and resources to collaborate on developing curriculum and on
reviewing and scoring student work, and providing resources and support for
school staff to help them choose the most-appropriate digital or nondigital
curriculum materials.
Pane,
J. F., Steiner, E. D., Baird, M. D., Hamilton, L. S., & Pane, J. D. (2017).
Informing progress – Insights on personalized learning implementation and
effects. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation.
