Vermont Agency of Education

VELS are required under Act 166 Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) and approved for Rule Series 2600 and Education Quality Standards (EQS). Explore the VELS website and resources above. Questions? Please contact AOE.UPK@vermont.gov

The Agency is pleased to announce the launch of the new Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) website, a comprehensive resource highlighting the value of learning standards from birth to grade 3. vels.education.vermont.gov

OPINION — It’s not all about taxes Education transformation is about building the best education system in the U.S.

Building the best education system in America starts with coming together as a state to acknowledge our challenges and tackle them collectively—not by calling each other names. We encourage Vermonters to read the op-ed and consider Secretary Saunders' argument—in her own words.

Last night, VTDigger published an op-ed by Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders under a headline generated by VTDigger that was misleading, divisive, and insulting to Vermonters. In the interest of informed debate, we appreciate that VTDigger has owned the mistake and retracted the headline.

This includes the Agency of Education, where promoting safe and healthy schools is a core priority. A positive school climate where students feel a sense of belonging is critical to the success and well-being of our students.

Vermonters stand together, and that means we stand with the Somali community in Vermont. As highlighted in Governor Phil Scott's remarks on December 3, Vermont continues to embrace those seeking safety and a new beginning.

Hate has no home in Vermont. In light of disparaging and hateful remarks directed towards the Winooski School District, the AOE reaffirms its commitment to prioritizing inclusion for all who call Vermont home, including New Americans, immigrants, and refugees.

Yesterday the Agency hosted a Strategic Planning Retreat in Killington, Vermont with over 250 education partners from across the state. Thank you to everyone who shared their time and expertise to make it a great day! For more information visit education.vermont.gov/strategic-pl...

Every Day Counts: Using Research to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Vermont Schools | UVM News | The University of Vermont

Every Day Counts: Using Research to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Vermont Schools www.uvm.edu/uvmnews/news...

Linda Alvarez and Secretary Saunders posing for a photo.

The Vermont Agency of Education announced today that Linda Alvarez, of Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro, is the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year. education.vermont.gov/press-releas...

In Depth: preparing for a new school year facing potential new challenges and changes Hear from the Secretary of Vermont's Agency of Education as they prepare for a new academic year

A new school year is almost here! Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders sat down with NBC5’s Lauren Granada last week to talk back-to-school and discuss important topics in public education. www.mynbc5.com/article/in-d...

Sculpture of children and adults holding hands at a Vermont school.

For more information: aoa.vermont.gov/school-distr...

The Agency of Education is prepared to provide any necessary data, support, and input to the Task Force as they engage in one of the critical first steps of a three-year runway to building a more equitable, fair, and sustainable education system.

Today, the Task Force met to elect co-chairs, discuss priorities, explore a mapping tool, hear from the public, and chart next steps.

The General Assembly is scheduled to vote on a proposal in 2026, and the new school districts are scheduled to go into operation for the 2028-2029 school year.

Under Act 73, which was signed into law last month, the Task Force was created to propose up to three new school district maps in which districts enroll 4,000-8,000 students (meaning roughly 10-20 school districts statewide).

Earlier today, Vermont took a major step towards education transformation with the inaugural meeting of the School District Redistricting Task Force.

Vermont Agency of Education Responds to Trump Administration Withholding Federal Funding | Agency of Education For Immediate Release Contact: aoe.publicinformation@vermont.gov

On Monday evening, the U.S. Dept. of Education alerted the VT Agency of Education of a decision by the Trump administration to withhold $26M in congressionally approved funding for VT public schools. The Agency has issued the following statement in response.

PE Standards Summer Trainings Announced | Agency of Education The Vermont Agency of Education, in support of implementation of the recently adopted

The AOE has contracted with SHAPE America to provide 3 trainings to PE educators in VT.

The full-day sessions include:

August 13, at Randolph Union High School
August 14, at Manchester Elementary Middle School
August 15, at Missisquoi Valley Union Middle and High School

More info at the link.

New Educator Licensing System Trainings Announced | Agency of Education The Vermont Agency of Education and Level Data will be providing trainings on the new Educator Licensing System, VLSE, on July 15. These sessions will be held over Zoom. There is a training for distri...

The AOE will be providing trainings on the new Educator Licensing System, VLSE, on July 15. These sessions will be held over Zoom. There is a training for district users at 1 p.m. and one for general users at 3 p.m. More information and links for attending these Zoom sessions are at the link.

Summer Food Service Program Returns for 2025 | Agency of Education The Agency of Education has announced the return of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides free meals to Vermont children (18 and under) via a series of meal sites throughout the state...

The AOE announces the return of the Summer Food Service Program, providing free meals to Vermont children via a series of meal sites throughout the state this summer.

All sites are open to all children, 18 and under.

Info on where to find sites and more at the link.

YouTube video by Vermont Agency of Education 2025 Year-End Message From Secretary Saunders

As the school year comes to a close, Vermont Secretary of Education, Zoie Saunders, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of students, educators, and school communities in 2024-2025.

Action Based Learning Summit 2025 ABL Online Academy offers highly engaging & action packed online courses for educators at all levels. Action Based Learning supports a whole child approach to improving the health, wellness, and educa...

The ABL National Summit is an event that empowers educators w/ strategies to enhance student engagement, boost academic performance, and reduce behavioral challenges. Attendees receive 18 hrs of PD.
The event will be held at Champlain Elementary in Burlington July 15-17. Reg. form at the link.

Seeking Public Input: Policy Draft for the Prevention of the Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying of Students | Agency of Education A revised DRAFT Model Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Prevention Policy and Procedures is now available for feedback.

Help us protect Vermont students from harassment, hazing and bullying. The AOE is seeking public input on some draft policy language. Together, we can provide every student in Vermont with a safe and supportive school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with respect.

New Licensing System for Educators Coming This Summer | Agency of Education The AOE is excited to announce that educator licensing will transition to new software this summer. The Vermont Licensing System for Educators (VLSE) is anticipated to go live in July. This new softwa...

Attention Vermont educators! The AOE is getting ready to roll out a new and improved licensing system this summer! See the link for details and a timeline.

20th Anniversary Stem Cells, Cell Therapies, and Bioengineering in Lung Biology and Diseases | The University of Vermont Hosted by the University of Vermont

VT high school students! UVM is hosting the 20th Stem Cells, Cell Therapies, and Bioengineering in Lung Biology and Diseases Conference in July. Along with the VT Academy of Science & Engineering, UVM is inviting up to 25 VT high school students to participate, at no cost to them!

YouTube video by Vermont Agency of Education Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9!

It's Teacher Appreciation Day! VT Teacher of the Year, Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver, chatted with the AOE about the critical work teachers do in our communities every day and how important it is to acknowledge that work. Thank a teacher today!

Nominations Now Open for 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year | Agency of Education All Vermonters are invited and encouraged to fill out a short form to nominate a Vermont teacher to apply to be Vermont’s next Teacher of the Year.  The mission of the Vermont Teacher of the Year Prog...

Nominate a great teacher for the Vermont Teacher of the Year award! Nominations are open through April 28. Anyone can nominate any active Vermont teacher. Teachers can also self-nominate. Click the link to learn more!

Open Application for Student Member on State Board of Education | Agency of Education The Governor’s Office is seeking a student representative for the State Board of Education.

The Governor’s Office is seeking a student rep. for the VT State Board of Education. This appointment will be for a 2-year term (1st year as a non-voting member and the 2nd year as a voting member). Rising sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is Monday, April 28.

Teachers Who Write Conference - RSH Classroom

Check out this conference for teachers who write!
Presented by The VT Council of Teachers of English & Language Arts, in partnership with the Ruth Stone House.
Facilitated by VT Poet Laureate, Bianca Stone, and poet and scholar, Ben Pease.