The 802 Ed
What's going on in Vermont's education policy and practice
Welcome back! For those taking note, this week is American Education Week, International Education Week, and National Apprenticeship Week.
This issue of the 802 Ed covers many topics that are immediately useful like an update on AOE’s efforts to become more data-driven, advice from the Smithsonian on how to teach about Thanksgiving, and more on supporting post-election anxiety. Be sure to check out winners of this year’s Name-A-Plow competition!
New to the lingo? At the suggestion of a reader we include a guide to common abbreviations, just scroll down past the news.
- Steven Berbeco, Editor
School Leadership
Why Should We Hire You? The Harvard Business Review offers suggestions on how to prepare for one of the most important questions in a job interview.
“This May Sounds Sexist But…” School Administrator dives into the choices a principal has when responding to a sexist comment in a private conversation. This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
Post-Election Anxiety. The results of recent voting have been rough waters for many in Vermont and across the country.
In Education Week a fifth grade teacher published her advice on navigating classroom conversations coming out of the recent election.
Seven Days VT highlights how diverse school districts are supporting students.
The Child Mind Institute offers guidance for talking with kids about the election.
“Brigham Decision Alternative No. 2.” VT Digger checks in on the education finance picture in Montpelier, including the push-me pull-you between the legislature and governor’s office as well as a few ideas that appear to be getting teed up for the new session in January.
Good-bye Department of Ed? The New York Times explores the question of whether the incoming president could make good on his promise to shutter the federal agency. Gift link
School Choice. The Hechinger Report predicts that the new administration in D.C. will be friendly toward vouchers and charter schools.
Buck-A-School. The Bridge covers the upcoming vote by a school board on whether to offer for sale to the town a mostly unused school building for $1.
Fewer Schools for Voting. The Waterbury Roundabout digs into the observation that schools are much less likely to be used as polling places as compared to eight years ago, and suggests that safety may be a factor.
“Several Significant Inaccuracies.” VT Digger brings us up to date on AOE’s efforts to improve the agency’s data analysis, and frustrations from superintendents and legislators with many of the results.
Lighten The Load. Education Week offers several low-cost ways to raise morale by making teachers’ lives easier.
Better Than Nothing? Higher Ed Jobs takes on the question of whether it’s better to take the job offer that is offered or wait for another opportunity.
Students in Standoff. Norwich University’s student paper, The Guidon, continues to struggle with the administration stating that students don’t have appropriate training or mentorship and students on the other side claiming censorship: “Obviously the school doesn’t love when the school isn’t spoken about in a great manner.”
Cut And Merge? VT Digger published an open letter to AOE from a school board member: “The era of saving money by sharing superintendents and tinkering with pupil weights has run its course.”
Heads Up, Vermont. States are taking innovative steps to support their students and Vermont school leaders and lawmakers should take note:
Tennessee’s governor is pitching an education plan that includes private school vouchers and a one-time bonus for teachers.
Texas voted recently to expand its community college system into a rural area - and the ballot measure succeeded.
Some schools in Maine are opting for fewer snow days in favor of more remote learning instead.
School Shootings in 2024. Education Week’s tracker has logged 35 school shootings in 2024. “On Nov. 9, a man was shot and killed in the Hillcrest High School parking lot during a junior high boys’ basketball tournament in Country Club Hills, Ill.” Total school shootings in 2023: 38. As a reminder, DPS and AOE operate an anonymous school safety tip line for students, school staff, and their community: calling 1-844-SAFE4VT; texting SAFE4VT to 274637; or online at safe4vt.org. For questions about school safety training in Vermont, contact Rob Evans.
Reader Survey
In each issue we ask a survey question to get a sense of what is on our readers’ minds. Then, the following issue, we report back on what we learned.
Last issue we asked: How should the legislature support school budgets this year? There was very strong support for the response Increase Medicaid reimbursement for school services and fewer readers selecting Tax second homes in Vermont at a higher rate and Decrease health care costs for educators.
This issue’s survey question: What change do you think is most likely with the new presidential administration? Please indicate your response by clicking a check mark.
✅ Decrease public education funding such as Title I
✅ Increase support for school choice and privatization
✅ Decrease role of DEI in public education
Thank you to the reader from New Hampshire who suggested that survey question. What’s on your mind? Suggest a survey question to find out how your colleagues respond in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed!
Job Listings
Supercharge The Applicant Pool. The market for school staff in Vermont is fierce and it’s important to stand out when attracting quality candidates. Why get wedged in among thousands of open positions on SchoolSpring? Your opportunity can stand out in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed, dropping into the Inbox of thousands of readers. Sponsored by 802 Ed
The Big List. Josh Czupryk compiles and publishes a monthly spreadsheet with about 300 job opportunities for remote work in K-12 education.
Looking for a Change? With so many open positions in Vermont education, there are sometimes unusual opportunities. For example, AOE is looking for a Director of Education Finance to provide technical assistance on the $2 billion in education funding that flows through the state: “Duties may require extensive time outside of normal work hours.”
Thank The Team
You read it, you love it, and now is a good time to say thanks. Cover our coffee budget! Writing, editing, researching… all of that is caffeine driven. Choose this option and the extra energy will go to finding a few more updates to share.
Note from The Editor
A Latin teacher from junior high school once told me that the word trivia comes from roots meaning three roads. The idea was that people would come together where roads meet to exchange small pieces of information - trivia.
Here in Vermont we certainly swap news on street corners and I’ve had my share of half-shouted updates between open car windows. The flow of information also happens in grocery stores, coffee shops, and waiting for pick up at the end of the school day.
Recently I found another spot for hot tea, as the kids like to call gossip these days. I was sitting in my gym’s sauna and struck up a conversation with someone who is a school leader.
I learned that the post-election anxiety many Vermonters are feeling is also showing up in schools among students, many of whom are worried about being deported as part of what’s promised to be the “largest deportation program in American history.”
And to clarify, this isn’t kids worrying about whether they will be able to go to Ikea in Montreal. The federal government claims that it can stop and question people within 100 miles of a border. For anyone doing the math, the distance from Highgate Springs to Middlebury clocks in at less than 75 miles, for example.
School leaders have so many responsibilities: to their students, the staff, the community. Now add to the list that schools have historically been swept up in immigration enforcement efforts.
Despite this, a national publication recently pointed out that there hasn’t been much in the way of public statements from school leaders. Or, ehem, state government.
There are levers that can be pulled within the state to help protect our vulnerable students. As the legislature gets ready for session in January, elected representatives can prioritize this issue so schools can focus on teaching and learning.
My gym’s motto is You Belong Here. It’s time for Vermont’s education system to adopt a similar mission statement.
Eye on Data
The chart below tracks the number of open positions for substitutes in Vermont in the past 90 days, presented as data points and no trend line this time. Data from SchoolSpring.
Pass It On
Like what you are reading? Hit the button below to send a copy to a colleague, friend, neighbor, your boss… whoever!
Colleagues on the Move
Congratulations to these colleagues who received administrator licensure from AOE since the last issue of the 802 Ed! Data from AOE.
Melissa Connor • Superintendent
Mark Fiorentino • Superintendent, Princpal
Guy Johnson • Principal
Kathryn Barea • Director of Curriculum
Do you know a colleague who has made a recent move? Let us know!
Grants & Opportunities
Presidential Scholars. The Vermont Presidential Scholars Program has opened nominations for student excellence in academics, community service, the arts, technical skills, and leadership. Deadline is November 19.
International Education. The U.S. Department of Education is hosting an in-person and virtual panel discussion about the future of foreign language learning, study abroad, and more. 8:30am - 11am, November 19.
SEL for Early Ed. CDD is offering self-paced professional development on supporting social and emotional development and behavior birth through age 8.
Powering The Future. The U.S. Department of Education opened submissions for a CTE program competition, where student teams compete for $50,000 in prize money by submitting action plans that will advance the use of clean energy in their schools and communities. Deadline is November 19.
Training for Early Childhood Ed. CDD announced an online course on how infants and toddlers grow their social-emotional skills and more. Deadline is November 22.
Room For Me. Vermont Afterschool announced a CDD grant for new or existing afterschool programs to expand participation. Deadline is November 28.
Scats and Tracks. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is offering weekly videos on local wild animals, for students in grades K-8. Program closes December 15.
School Ambassador Fellowship. The U.S. Department of Education is accepting applications for a one-year fellowship that engages school-based educators in development of policies that impact learning environments nationwide. Deadline is January 13. Editor’s note - I participated in the first cohort of this program and recommend it highly!
If You Missed It
KaPlow. Results are in from the state’s Name-A-Plow contest for schools, including winners like Sir Plowsalot, No More Mr. Ice Guy, and The Snow Day Eliminator. [Mental note to check with my kids about how their school ended up with Flying Pickle. -Ed]
“Unique And Complex.” AOE recently published a report detailing advantages and disadvantages of the state’s education funding system, and how it compares to other states.
Hiring from Within. A Vermont school district posted their procedure for filling a school leadership role when there is an interim in place, with detailed steps that may be helpful for others to consider.
Yeah, About That Thanksgiving Story. The National Museum of the American Indian offers teaching and learning resources for grades 3-5 on improving the predominant narrative about Thanksgiving.
The 802 Ed brings together the latest from Vermont's associations for principals, superintendents, and school board members, as well as state and national education agencies. We hope that you'll find something useful in each issue and welcome comments or suggestions for upcoming issues: editor@802ed.com.
Abbreviation list: AASA School Superintendents Association, ADM Average Daily Membership, AHS Agency of Human Services, AOE Agency of Education, CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDD Child Development Division, CVTSE Coalition for Vermont Student Equity, DAIL Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, DCF Department for Children and Families, DMH Department of Mental Health, DPS Department of Public Safety, ED U.S. Department of Education, FERPA Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children, NEASC New England Association of Schools and Colleges, PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, RFP Request for Proposals, SBE State Board of Education, SEL Social Emotional Learning, VEHI Vermont Education Health Initiative, VPA Vermont Principals Association, VREC Vermont Rural Education Collaborative, VSA Vermont Superintendents Association, VSBA Vermont School Board Association, VSBIT Vermont School Boards Insurance Trust, VSBPE Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators, VTCLA Vermont Curriculum Leaders Association, VTSU Vermont State University.
Special bonus for making it to the bottom: What if we had a magnitude 15 earthquake? Oh, just that all the water on the earth would evaporate. How about a magnitude -3? That’s a penny falling off the back of a dog. All that and more in a series of clever stick figure drawings. Thanks for the tip, Daybreak!