Zoie Saunders, Secretary | Vermont Agency of Education
The Vermont Agency of Education has released new guidance to address staffing shortages affecting the provision of special education. This guidance aims to assist Supervisory Unions and Districts, as well as parents and families, in making equitable decisions regarding special education services for eligible students. The agency emphasizes the importance of collaboration between districts and families in ensuring a Free Appropriate Public Education during these challenges. Opportunities for further discussion with AOE staff will be scheduled.
In other developments, the School Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) team is holding office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays for current and prospective members. These sessions offer guidance on BTA policies, procedures, and best practices. Michele Hartje can be contacted for more information at michele.hartje@vermont.gov.
Additionally, a Behavioral Threat Assessment training session is scheduled for May 28. This virtual event will be conducted by national experts and fulfills the annual training requirements of Act 29 of 2023. Interested parties are encouraged to register via the BTA Training Registration List.
The spring issue of "Literary Learning," Vermont’s newsletter for English Language Arts educators, is now available. It features articles on various educational topics including proficiency scales and instructional practices frameworks. Emily Leute can provide more details at emily.leute@vermont.gov.
The Peer Review program seeks licensed educators to serve as panelists who evaluate licensure portfolios. Panelists are compensated $175 per interview without a car insurance requirement this year. Interested educators should complete an online survey by June 15.
A new licensing system for Vermont educators is set to launch in July, developed by Level Data. The transition involves a temporary blackout period starting July 1 before the new system goes live around July 15. Virtual training sessions are planned from July 21-25.
Vermont Public has introduced "Together We Can," a music video series aimed at young children that focuses on concepts related to American Democracy and Civics through engaging songs.
Finally, applications opened on May 14 for Statewide Consultant Grants focused on improving educational interventions for Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) and Blind or Visually Impaired (BVI) students. Applications must be submitted by May 30 via the Grants Management System.
Alerts Sign-up