Education (Higher Education) in Vermont

passed both · Vermont · House May 8, 2026

HCR 285: House concurrent resolution recognizing the fifth anniversary of the Middlebury Language Schools–Bennington College intercultural education collaboration

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally acknowledges the fifth anniversary of a partnership between Middlebury Language Schools and Bennington College. It recognizes the agreement signed in 2019, which moved three language programs to the Bennington campus to foster academic excellence and cultural exchange. The text highlights the history of the language schools and the shared commitment of both institutions to immersive education. Finally, it directs the Secretary of State to send copies of this recognition to the two colleges involved.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

passed both · Vermont · House Apr 16, 2026

HCR 231: House concurrent resolution honoring the outstanding achievements of the federal TRIO programs in Vermont

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors the federal TRIO programs in Vermont, which provide educational support to financially disadvantaged students. The TRIO programs, established by Congress in the 1960s, offer assistance to students who are the first in their families to attend college and lack sufficient funds. The resolution recognizes the work of these programs across seven Vermont colleges and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Board of Directors of the Vermont Educational Opportunity Programs.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2026

H 813: An act relating to ensuring the same accountability, transparency, and education standards for all schools receiving public funding

H 813 requires approved independent schools receiving public funding to meet the same education quality standards, transparency rules, and accountability measures as Vermont public schools. It mandates these schools to develop annual improvement plans, publicly report student performance data (including graduation rates and cost-per-pupil), maintain safe facilities, employ licensed special educators, follow open meeting and public records laws, and not charge extra fees to publicly funded students. The bill directly affects independent schools that accept state tuition payments, ensuring they operate with comparable standards to public schools. Key provisions include standardized reporting formats, safety regulations, and prohibitions on charging additional fees beyond state funding. This extends Vermont’s public school accountability framework to all schools using public funds.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 214: An act relating to the provision of prekindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts

This bill allows students in Vermont school districts designated as "geographically isolated" to use state-funded prekindergarten programs in New Hampshire under specific conditions. It requires the Vermont State Board of Education to define "geographically isolated" districts and sets rules for eligibility: the New Hampshire program must be state-approved for public prekindergarten and located within 25 miles of the Vermont border. Vermont school districts would pay the same statewide tuition rate for these out-of-state programs as they would for local providers, ensuring access for students who cannot find approved prekindergarten options within their district boundaries.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 28, 2026

H 799: An act relating to the Free Degree Promise Program

H.799 creates the Free Degree Promise Program to provide tuition-free associate's degrees at Vermont's Community College of Vermont (CCV) for eligible high school graduates. It directly affects Vermont students who complete CCV's Early College program (earning 20+ credits) and submit financial aid applications. The program covers tuition/fees after other aid, provides stipends for books and transportation, and includes career advising. Funding comes annually from the Vermont Education Endowment Trust Fund (5% of assets), with the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation designated as a recipient. This codifies an existing initiative to reduce student debt and expand access to postsecondary education.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2026

H 616: An act relating to the right to enroll full time in virtual learning

This bill requires Vermont school districts to pay full tuition to the state-maintained virtual learning provider for any student enrolled full-time in virtual education, upon request by a parent or legal guardian. It directly affects families seeking virtual learning options, regardless of whether virtual education is included in the student's personalized learning plan. The key provision amends school funding laws (16 V.S.A. §§821 and 822) to mandate this tuition payment for both elementary and high school students. The virtual learning provider is overseen by the Agency of Education under 16 V.S.A. §948. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 779: An act relating to updating the Flexible Pathways Initiative

H.779 ends Vermont's early college program by July 2027 and increases dual enrollment course eligibility from two to four courses per student for high school students. The bill addresses equity concerns by removing financial barriers (like college fees and transportation costs) that previously limited access for lower-income students and those in rural areas. It also creates a working group of education officials and school leaders to study new partnerships between high schools and Vermont State Colleges for delivering college-level coursework. These changes directly affect Vermont public high schools, students seeking college credit before graduation, and the Vermont State Colleges System.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 244: An act relating to the repeal of 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73

This bill (S 244) proposes to repeal most provisions of 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73, which was a comprehensive education and tax reform package. It specifically retains changes to tuition eligibility for approved independent schools (16 V.S.A. § 828), State Board of Education appointment rules (16 V.S.A. §§ 161-162), and the creation of regional assessment districts. The bill also creates new property tax classifications for second homes/short-term rentals and seasonal residential properties, taxing them like nonhomestead nonresidential properties. These changes affect Vermont school districts, taxpayers, and education funding structures by undoing prior legislative actions while maintaining specific education governance and tax provisions.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 292: An act relating to granting public higher education employees the right to strike

This bill (S.292) would amend Vermont law to grant public higher education employees statewide the right to strike, which they currently do not have under state labor law. It directly affects employees at all public colleges and universities in Vermont (including Vermont State Colleges and the University of Vermont, which are currently exempt from the strike ban). The key mechanism is amending two sections of law: removing the prohibition on strikes for these employees in §903 and revising §962 to clarify that striking is not an unfair labor practice for them. The change would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 698: An act relating to various changes to 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73

This bill (H.698) revises Vermont's 2025 education funding and policy framework. It removes provisions requiring schools to maintain minimum class sizes, eliminates a rule allowing receiving districts to charge sending districts extra fees for high school students, and reverts unused funds from a school district voting group back to the state General Fund. The bill also updates the state's education funding formula to add a "secondary student weight" for high school students and removes recent changes to property tax classifications affecting schools. These changes directly impact school districts, state education funding calculations, and the administration of public school tuition payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

All education bills