The 802 Ed
What's going on in Vermont's education policy and practice
Welcome back! And a special hello to arts teachers and other colleagues who participated in the Arts + Education event at the Flynn last week, where conversation highlighted that arts are “like oxygen” to education and a shared concern about the unusually high number of current vacancies for dance, drama, music, and studio art across the state. It’s troubling to think of youth orchestras that are ready to go… except for a teacher.
This issue covers many topics that are immediately useful like tips for school leaders who want to advocate to legislators, scholarship opportunities for school staff to study abroad over the summer, and the tug of war between teaching keyboarding or cursive. Be sure to check out the eye-popping number of vacancies for substitutes!
New to the lingo? At the suggestion of a reader we now include a guide to common abbreviations, just scroll down past the news.
- Steven Berbeco, Editor
School Leadership
Thinking Strategically. The Harvard Business Review suggests three core behaviors for leaders to develop in order to avoid being labelled as “tactical, not strategic.”
Conservative Group Tries to Stop Affinity Group. Shelburne News describes an unsuccessful federal complaint against Champlain Valley School District alleging that an elementary school’s affinity group violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, though missing the important detail that the affinity group didn’t actually exist. This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
Tax Hikes Coming Soon. WCAX covers the coming increases for Vermont property taxes, anticipated to be nearly 20%, because of the state’s education spending forecast, which may make it harder for school boards to get their communities to pass budgets.
Finding Space for The Littles. The Saint Albans Messenger brings us up to date on the anticipated challenges of finding space for the “little tornadoes” after H.217 passed and the state moves to full-day pre-K, with perspectives from a superintendent, a legislator, and others.
“Insider’s Route” to Lobbying. School Administrator hands the pen to a former superintendent turned legislator for advice on how a school leader or board members can effectively advocate for legislative change.
Empowered Teachers, Lead Teachers, And More. Education Week gives an update on nine schools where teaching looks different from the traditional single teacher in front of the classroom, with great results.
Snapshot Out of Focus. AOE and the Agency of Digital Services issued a press release owning up to errors in the “overly complex systems” that generate the state’s Annual Snapshot: “We regret the impact this may have on some Vermont schools.”
Four Days On, Three Days Off. Planet Money explores the recent wave of schools that have gone the way of a shorter week, now about 7% of districts across the country, and the research about what works and what doesn’t. Thanks for the tip, KS!
“I’ve Smartened Up.” An op-ed in the Chester Telegraph gives the view of a community member on the on-going debate about the local Chieftains mascot.
The Last Socially Acceptable Discrimination. Higher Ed takes on the problem of how how ageism and generation discrimination can affect hiring committees, with recommendations on how to recognize and overcome them.
“It’s a Trap!” The Vermont Political Observer points out the uphill battle, a “hell of a big job,” facing the incoming chancellor of the state college system.
Going Out on A Good Note. The Associated Press picked up the story of a former driver’s education teacher who left nearly $4 million to his community to support education, health, recreation and culture.
“Not Completely Intentional” Knife Stabbing. The News and Citizen follows the developing story of a parent concerned with the school’s reaction to an event involving her child, the school’s efforts to respond within the limits of student privacy, and the community’s “raucous and rowdy” response at a recent board meeting.
The “Hard Truth” at VTSU. State Representative Jim Masland puts the university system’s changes in a larger context in this VT Digger opinion piece.
Abrupt Closure of Preschool. Seven Days’ Alison Novak maps out the rise and sudden end of a five-star child care program because of several fire safety code violations.
Samuel Morey on The Chopping Block. Daybreak breaks the story about the Rivendell board’s limited options for the Fairlee elementary school, aligned with a three-year budget proposal that includes creating multi-age classrooms and more.
Heads Up, Vermont. States are taking innovative steps to support their students and Vermont school leaders and lawmakers should take note:
New Jersey high school students may soon be required to fill out a FAFSA as a graduation requirement thanks to a bill introduced recently that would likely increase college attainment especially for low-income student.
School Shootings in 2023. Education Week’s tracker reports 36 school shootings in 2023. “On Nov. 9, two people were injured when a gun accidentally discharged during a school basketball game in Atmore, Ala.” Total school shootings in 2022: 51. 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: Would you be interested in a state-wide education conference that includes K-12, early childhood education, and higher education? The responses were cautiously positive with most readers choosing Yes, it sounds exciting or It really depends on how it is structured. We’ll see if AOE, a university, or others pick up on the idea!
This issue’s survey question: Do you think students should be required to complete a FAFSA as a graduation requirement? Please indicate your response by clicking a check mark.
✅ Yes, with a parent’s option to opt-out.
✅ No, it should be up to the school whether to encourage this.
✅ I’m not sure.
Thank you to an education leader from Chittenden County for 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 2,100+ readers. Sponsored by 802 Ed
The Big List. Josh Czupryk compiles and publishes a monthly spreadsheet with more than 200 job opportunities for remote work in K-12 education.
Looking for a Change? With so many open education positions, there are sometimes unusual opportunities. For example, the Landing School of Boat Building in Maine is hiring a Director of Education.
Thank the Team
Like what you are reading? Want a creative way to show your support? 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.
From the Editor
Schools have formal calendars that are approved by the board, but school staff in many cases have informal calendars that have been developed through years of experience. This other calendar sometimes calls this period we’re in, between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, as the doldrums.
I was talking recently with a school secretary who keeps a watchful eye on all the comings and goings. She said that many of the most challenging behaviors had quieted down, but she pointed out that cold season hadn’t started yet.
You know, cold season, where sniffles travel quickly among students and staff, absences suddenly climb, and the well-ordered machinery of schools gets gucked up with quick fixes to unplanned absences.
Substitutes are a school’s response to cold season, the medicine that slows the sneezes and keeps the teaching and learning moving forward.
Bad news, then, that the number of openings for substitutes in Vermont’s schools has doubled in the past two weeks, possibly in anticipation of staff absences, an overall increased demand for a limited supply of substitutes. School leaders who aren’t already thinking about how to recruit and retain substitutes ahead of the coming colds may find themselves with upcoming headaches.
The chart below tracks the number of openings for substitutes in the 90 days prior to publication, presented as data points and an exponential trend line. 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
We are still waiting to hear about the results of the Secretary of Education search, as well as leadership roles at Burlington High School and elsewhere. In the meantime, here are highlights of education leaders who are making a change – congratulations!
Wendy Baker, previously superintendent at Orange East Supervisory Union, will be superintendent at Addison Central School District this summer. She is taking over from Timothy Williams.
Elizabeth Mauch, currently president of Bethany College in Kansas, will be chancellor at Vermont State Colleges in January. She is taking over from Sophie Zdatny.
Congratulations also to these colleagues who have received administrator licensure from AOE since the last issue of the 802 Ed! Data from AOE’s Aithent Licensing System.
Richard Arroyo • Superintendent, Principal
Madelyn Crudo Burke • Superintendent
Beth Parker • Principal
Do you know a colleague who has made a recent move? Let us know!
Grants & Opportunities
Creating Welcoming Schools. The U.S. Department of Education is hosting a panel discussion with success stories of schools that nurture welcoming environments, with strategies that are working in schools. 3 - 4:30pm, December 6.
A Decade of Student-Centered Learning. UP for Learning, AOE, and VPA are hosting a celebration of ten years of Act 77, the Flexible Pathways Initiative, for students, caregivers, community members, educators, and legislators, at the State House. 9:30am - 2:30pm, December 7.
Boosting Student and Staff Mental Health. Educator Week is hosting an online forum on schools’ response to a recent increase in the need for mental health services. 2 - 4:30pm, December 7.
School Ambassador Fellows. The U.S. Department of Education is offering an interactive information session about the highly selective policy program for teachers, school leaders, and other staff. 4 - 5pm, December 12.
Get on Board! VSBA is offering a webinar for community members who have an interest in running for a local school board. 6pm, December 12.
Rural Education Summit. The National School Boards Association is hosting a virtual panel discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities in rural education. 1 - 4:30pm, December 13.
Equity Trainers. AOE is updating the 2023 Education Equity Professional Learning Providers List for schools to use as a resource when planning professional learning, and current providers need to reapply, too. Deadline is December 22.
Curriculum Review. The Vermont Criminal Justice Council issued an RFP for a consultant for a long-term, up to to four years, curriculum review with a goal of accreditation. Deadline is January 2.
Summer Studies in Finland, Thailand, or Colombia. The U.S. Department of Education has opened applications for Fulbright Seminars Abroad for elementary and secondary teachers and administrators, as well as postsecondary faculty and administrators. Deadline is January 4.
If You Missed It
“Indoctrination of Our Children.” Vermont Daily Chronicle published a fiery op-ed by state representative Charlie Wilson from Lyndon, alleging United Nations control of school policies, students falling victim to socialism, and the importance of putting God first to reform education.
Supporting English Language Learners. The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition has updated the family toolkits that help families choose education services that meet their child’s needs, now available in English, Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish.
Cursive Comeback. Stateline details the push and pull between teaching keyboarding on the one hand and “old-fashioned” cursive on the other, playing out in New Hampshire and other states.
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, CDD Child Development Division, 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, RFP Request for Proposals, NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children, NEASC New England Association of Schools and Colleges, PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, SBE State Board of Education, VEHI Vermont Education Health Initiative, VPA Vermont Principals Association, VSA Vermont Superintendents Association, VSBA Vermont School Board Association, VTSU Vermont State University.
Special bonus for making it to the bottom: For those looking for a little more excitement in life, a handy website tracks PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids), including 2013 VX4 that is due to zoom past Earth today clocking about 14,763 miles per hour.