Too many students in traditional public schools are being underserved by a century-old, one-size-fits-all classroom model. In Episode 2 of APLUS+ Presents: EVERYTHING Flex-Based Learning, Jeff Rice, founder of APLUS+ (the Association of Personalized Learning Schools and Services), explains how flex-based personalized learning serves the greater good for students, families, and communities. Jeff traces today's classroom back to the industrial age, when schools were built to prepare factory workers, and explains why a teacher who must teach to the middle of the bell curve leaves students above and below it struggling to stay engaged. He makes the case for a model that puts students first rather than the system: a personalized learning plan built around each student's interests, skills, talents, and goals, with choices in how, what, when, where, and with whom they learn, online, in person, or both. Honoring every student individually and equally, he argues, is the true expression of equity. Learn more at https://theaplus.org. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and the APLUS+ mission 00:53 Let's face the truth 01:11 A model built for the industrial age 02:01 100 years later, the same system 02:48 Teaching to the middle of the bell curve 03:06 Putting students first, not the system 04:04 The true purpose of education 04:47 Why this approach matters 05:22 Choice in how, what, when, where, and with whom 05:56 Equity as the true equalizer
