The Senate confirmed the governor’s appointment of Rebecca Holcombe to remain secretary of education Thursday. Sen. Philip Baruth, D/P-Chittenden, chair of the Senate Committee on Education, said her appointment was the best decision Gov. Phil Scott could have made. “I think she is one of the most intelligent and adept at policy in her role […]
Vermont Agency of Education
Education agency losing longtime financial guru
The secretary says Bill Talbott is the only person she knows who has the Green Book — a thick tome that is Vermont’s education law — memorized.
Judge weighs scope of state obligation on public records
The issue is whether providing a school-by-school breakdown on bullying, hazing and harassment would require “creating” a document from Education Agency databases.
House committee puts own spin on Act 46 flexibility
The panel accommodated requests from more than 30 House members to add more language from H.15, a bill once described as offering so much flexibility as to gut the intent of Act 46.
Vermont submits education plan to feds
The plan is the state’s response to the Every Student Succeeds Act, the successor to No Child Left Behind.
Lawmakers find no harmony on speech specialist issue
The House Education panel rejected the latest attempt to change who is responsible for overseeing the state credentials of speech language pathologists who work in the schools.
Tug-of-war continues over speech professionals’ licensing
The dispute flared up in the waning days of the last legislative session. It has to do with which agency has control over licensing of speech language pathologists, some of whom work in schools.
State well-positioned on new federal education law, say officials
Recent D.C. drama is seen as just a hiccup as the state implements the successor to No Child Left Behind. Flexibility in the law and a more hands-off approach by the feds should benefit Vermont.
Senate panel drops attempt to overhaul education board
The Education Committee supported legislation creating a special group to recommend how to move forward with controversial private school rules and making various other changes to laws.
Advocates push ‘equity’ for special education students
The debate over public funding of private schools includes whether they should have to educate all students, as long as there is room.
‘Error’ in private school rules has some feeling déjà vu
“Those communities are not crazy to think it is part of a philosophical push that has been in the air for some years,” said one lawmaker, harking back to failed legislation on public money for private education.
Board puts off private school rules amid talk of political sway
Members agreed they need the Education Agency’s input, which they haven’t had since August. How to make that happen was a matter of some disagreement.
Data report: Parents choose public over private schools for special education
Private schools, with a few exceptions, don’t offer a full array of programs for students with disabilities.
Rebecca Holcombe: Both federal and state education goals stress continuous improvement
The Every Student Succeeds Act focuses attention and funds on our most vulnerable children – a goal unequivocally championed by Gov. Phil Scott in his inaugural address.