U.S. Department of Justice to help Vermont youth recognize, report hate crimes
“We want everyone, including students, to understand that if they encounter what they believe is a hate crime that the FBI is here to investigate.”
Letter: House Bill 106 must be defeated
This bill will codify the right of educators, school boards, superintendents, teacher unions and activists to teach our children anything, in any way, with any props and tools that they chose and without regard or respect to your children, and without parental knowledge or permission.
Opinion: Our children deserve the best opportunities. Let’s start with school choice
Two of the most critical civil rights issues in modern-day America are parental rights and educational freedom. Our children deserve the best opportunities we can give them, and these opportunities start in schools.
Vermont lawmakers advised to substantially reduce school suspensions and expulsions
On Wednesday, lawmakers in the House Education Committee heard from two co-directors of the University of Vermont Building Effective Supports for Teaching project, who said schools should substantially reduce suspensions and expulsions as a disciplinary action.
Education leaders: Staff shortages persist midway through the school year
Vermont schools face “critical” staff shortages midway through the academic year, education leaders say, with some suggesting the state hack away at its 1,000 teacher and staff vacancies by providing loan support and reducing red tape in licensing and certification.
Gov. Scott endorses School Choice Week — rally Friday at the Statehouse
On Friday there will be a rally for school choice — at the Vermont State House and at the Capitol Plaza across the street — of hundreds of friends of parental choice in education, at a time when a majority of the Legislature seems hell-bent on stamping out as much parental choice as possible.
Democratic coalition of attorneys general file amicus brief in two student loan debt cases
In the brief, the attorneys general say the president acted within his statutory authority. At stake is a student loan debt relief initiative that would provide relief to student loan borrowers who were directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
John Klar: Vermont doesn’t know what a woman is
Vermont university and public officials worked frantically to prevent a showing of Matt Walsh’s documentary “What is a Woman?” The event was scheduled by Travis Allen, father of the local Randolph Union High School girl who complained about being compelled to undress in front of a biologically male student.
Education tax increase could be 8.3% if surplus funds not applied
An increase in Vermont’s tax rate is on the horizon for the state’s upcoming fiscal year. The question early in this legislative session is by how much.
Public school advocates say religious school Supreme Court decision puts vouchers ‘at crossroads’
A new umbrella advocacy group comprised of four organizations of Vermont public school educators often at loggerheads was in the State House on Friday, speaking as one for ‘equity and accountability’ in any legislation responding to the U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring tuitioning towns to provide payments to religious private schools.
Vermont ACLU suggests regulating public tuition money in a ‘content-neutral’ manner
The House Committee on Education on Wednesday heard from legal and education experts concerning the implications of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on public money going to religious schools.
ACLU lobbying to end school choice in Vermont
Rather than allow Vermont’s 14 approved independent religious schools to accept tuitioning students, many legislators would rather scrap tuitioning to independent schools altogether. It appears these lawmakers have an ally in the American Civil Liberties Union.