Vermont Agency of Education

06/12/2026

Vermont's students are doing remarkable things, and the best way to see it is up close. Last week, Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders and Deputy Secretary Jill Briggs Campbell spent a full day in Rutland for Capital for a Day, connecting with the students, educators, and partners shaping opportunity across the region.

At the Mint Makerspace, the IBOTS demonstrated their competition robot, and Secretary Saunders even took it for a drive. Backed by Rutland Robotics and the statewide FIRST Vermont network, the IBOTS have represented Vermont at world competitions. The state's growing investment in robotics is about more than fun. It builds the problem-solving and technical skills that prepare students for STEM careers right here at home.

At the Boys & Girls Club of Rutland, the team celebrated the Club's Youth of the Year, who will go on to represent Vermont at regional competition. He encouraged younger members to seek out leadership opportunities and believe in themselves, a message every Vermont student deserves to hear.

The day also included the Governor's Cabinet meeting at Killington Resort and a visit to Lothrop School for Panther Palooza, the school's end-of-year celebration, complete with drums, hopscotch, and Legos.

Thank you to the students, families, educators, and community partners in Rutland who made the day so memorable.

06/05/2026

Last week, the Agency welcomed students, educators, and volunteer judges to the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier for the “We the People” Congressional Hearing middle school showcase.

Students presented their knowledge of civics, responded to follow-up questions from judges, and practiced the kind of thoughtful, informed discussion that supports future civic participation.

The showcase gave students an opportunity to demonstrate what they learned, build confidence, and experience the challenge of presenting their ideas in a public setting.

Thank you to the educators, judges, organizers, and students who made this event possible. We are grateful for opportunities that help Vermont students strengthen their voices, work together, and see themselves as active members of their communities.

05/21/2026

Every Vermont student deserves access to grade-level instruction, and that starts with the quality of materials in the classroom. Yesterday, Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Erin Davis presented to the Vermont State Board of Education, including an update on the implementation of Education Quality Standards and the research and framework behind the Agency's work to bring High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) to Vermont classrooms.

Dr. Davis's presentation drew on national research showing that students often spend less than a third of their time working on grade-level content, and outlined the Agency's draft criteria for HQIM selection: alignment to Vermont's approved standards, instructional coherence, equity and cultural responsiveness, and built-in teacher supports. The Agency is committed to reducing the burden on school districts by providing clearer guidance and recommendations that support informed, system-wide decisions.

Building the best education system in America means ensuring every Vermont student has access to the high-quality, rigorous instruction they deserve. Thank you to the State Board for their continued partnership in this critical work.

05/08/2026

Linda Alvarez has spent her career showing up for Vermont students. This week, Vermont showed up for her.

To close out , Vermont's 2026 State Teacher of the Year was honored at the State House in Montpelier, where Representative Kate McCann organized the reading of a House resolution in her recognition. Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders and Governor Phil Scott both took part in celebrating Linda and what her selection represents for educators across the state.

Linda was joined by family and by fellow Vermont State Teachers of the Year, a community that knows firsthand what this work means. We're grateful to everyone who made the day possible, and grateful for every Vermont educator who gives students a reason to love learning.

05/07/2026

As continues, we’re inviting Vermonters to help us celebrate the teachers who have made a difference in their lives.

Teachers help students feel connected at school, supported, challenged, and ready to keep learning. Their impact lasts long after the school year ends.

Join us in thanking Vermont teachers by sharing the name of a teacher you’d like to recognize, along with a note of appreciation in the comments.

05/06/2026

Every Vermont child deserves the foundation to become a confident, lifelong reader. Today, the Agency of Education released its first-year implementation report on Read Vermont as the program faces an uncertain future in the General Assembly.

Read Vermont is the state’s flagship literacy initiative, which the Agency launched in 2024 to strengthen literacy instruction by providing training in the science of reading. The program mirrors a strategy credited with historic turnarounds in literacy nationwide but may need to be scaled back after the General Assembly declined to fund Read Vermont in its first draft of the FY27 budget.

"The Governor's request to fund Read Vermont represents Vermont's first targeted state investment in literacy since the passage of Act 139 of 2024," said Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. "This investment, which does not require new spending, is an important first step in regaining Vermont's national leadership in literacy. A budget is an expression of priorities, and I look forward to working with the legislature to prioritize supporting educators in teaching every child in Vermont how to read."

Read the full report and learn more about Read Vermont at the link below.

Improving literacy is a top priority for Vermont's educators, legislators, and families and caregivers.

05/04/2026

During Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re grateful for Vermont educators and the care, commitment, and expertise they bring to students, schools, and communities every day.

In April, a Vermont delegation attended the NAPE Professional Learning and Innovation Summit, with 32 participants representing 9 CTE centers, the Community College of Vermont, Vermont Works for Women, and the Agency of Education. The Summit was also an opportunity to celebrate and learn alongside Linda Alvarez, Vermont’s Teacher of the Year.

On May 15, Vermont attendees will gather for a full-day retreat to review key learning from the Summit and help inform statewide career technical education professional development for SY27. Thank you to Vermont’s teachers for the care, creativity, and commitment you bring to students every day.

05/04/2026

The Governor's Office is seeking a student representative for the State Board of Education!

This is a two-year appointment:
Year 1 — Non-voting member
Year 2 — Voting member
📣 Rising sophomores and rising juniors are encouraged to apply.

To apply, submit a resume and letter of interest to [email protected]

📅 Application deadline: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Questions about the State Board of Education? Reach out to Maureen Gaidys at [email protected] at the Agency of Education.

Learn more about the State Board of Education: https://education.vermont.gov/state-board-councils/state-board

More information about Boards and Commissions: https://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions

04/23/2026

Local ingredients, scratch cooking, and a lot of care. That is what Vermont students are getting in their school cafeterias.

Recent School Meals Administrative Reviews by the Agency's Child Nutrition team took us to schools across the state, and the trays speak for themselves: supreme pizza with corn from Laggis Farm in East Hardwick at Hardwick Elementary, chicken parm at Calais Elementary, scratch-made beef burgers from Brault's Market in Troy and veggie options at Peoples Academy, Grab and Go Deli at Essex High School, and sloppy joes with strawberries and scratch-made hummus at Bradford Elementary.

Thank you to the school nutrition teams at Orleans Southwest SU, Washington Central UUSD, Lamoille South SU, Essex Westford SD, and Orange East SU for feeding Vermont students well every single day.

04/22/2026

Vermont's expertise in supporting English learners is getting national attention. Education Week recently featured Stephanie Vogel, the Agency's Differentiated Instruction and Multilingual Programs Manager, in an in-depth piece on making English-learner funding fair and effective.

Stephanie spoke to the real challenges that come with serving students who remain English learners for more than six years, and students with limited or interrupted formal education, particularly in rural communities that aren't operating at scale. Her insights were informed by a Vermont-specific cost study that found funding needs can vary dramatically depending on a student's language proficiency level, a nuance that flat funding models often miss.

Vermont is already taking this seriously. The Agency is committed to building the best education system in America, and that means making sure every student, including Vermont's multilingual learner population, has what they need to thrive.

Read the full article below.

Experts share how state funding models can better support English learners with various needs.