Palmer Personal Learning Time – 2025- 2026 School Year

Reminder of the purpose of PLT:

• PLT is meant to provide an opportunity for students to become independent learners by exercising ownership of their learning and providing students with time within the school day to choose what learning they want to focus on.
• PLT also provides a structure for students to access learning support and collaborate with other students within the school day.

The District has been looking at PLT structures across secondary schools to see if our current structure best meets the purpose and goals of PLT in terms of enhancing student learning.

These are the concerns with the current model and reason for change: 

• Across the district, attendance in PLT has been low, and questions and concerns have been raised by students, parents and staff about the effective use of this time when PLT is first block in the morning. 
• PLT is also instructional time, and schools are accountable to the Ministry of Education to ensure that students receive the correct number of instructional minutes for the year, and that the time is used effectively for student learning. Schools must remain in compliance with Ministry requirements.   

Changes are being made for next year so that schools can continue to offer PLT.  The new structure will provide increased opportunities to support student learning and success.

What will PLT look like for next year?

• PLT will continue to be twice per week and will be scheduled between first and second period, NOT first thing in the morning.  
• All Palmer students will be attending PLT on a regular basis
• PLT will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• Each PLT block will be 48 minutes in duration.
• The school staff is working on the details, and more information will be shared as it becomes available.

Will there be Commitment for seeking input? 

• The district will coordinate an engagement process from students, staff and parents during the 2025-2026 school year to gather feedback on PLT and the revised structure.