The always timely and informative 802 Ed newsletter to Vermont educators highlights (again) Vermont public schools’ mental health and school budget challenges are both more challenging than usual this year, according to news articles collected by the always timely and informative 802 Ed newsletter, published by Steven Berbeco for Vermont educators. Berbeco will be testifying about schools and mental health for Vermont’s House Committee on Education, 10 – 10:30 am, Wednesday, January 31. – Editor
From the February, 2024 802 Ed Newsletter:
Free College. WCAX reports on the recent announcement of free tuition at Vermont State University for Vermonters with an adjusted gross income less than $50,000.
Universal Mental Health Screening for Students. The House Committee on Human Services has a bill with more than a dozen co-sponsors that would require universal screening of students for anxiety, depression, and suicidality: H.816, An act relating to mental health screenings in school-age youth.
Breaking FERPA. Seven Days’ Alison Novak digs into a recent court ruling that releases student records, and possibly opens the door to requests for hazing, harassment and bullying investigations, disciplinary records, and more. This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
School Safety, State-wide. Education Commission of the States published a review of programs across the country that are innovating to keep their kids safe.
Battling Isolation in College. Seven Days checks out student programs at several Vermont colleges that focus on mental health: “The college campus, once seen as a place where friendships formed easily, has become more isolating and divided.”
“Detrimental And Dangerous” Education Spending. VTDigger picks up the story of the dozens of education officials who are calling foul on Act 127, intended to promote funding equity across the state but in actuality incentivizing spending: “It is a miracle if we’re going to pass school budgets this year.”
“Not Intended As Free Money.” Chairs of Vermont’s Ways and Means and Finance committees published a hold up there, friend! letter to school boards: “If districts act solely in their own rational self-interest, those costs will be picked up by property taxes in neighboring towns. Most of us, regardless of the town we live in, can’t afford what it seems is happening in the education fund this year, and something will have to give.”
School Budgets Outlook. CVTSE ran the numbers on how Act 127 is anticipated to affect local education budgets in the next fiscal year with the recent change in the weighted count from Equalized Pupils to Long Term Weighted Average Daily Membership – now with updates based on FY24 data since FY25 budgets aren’t available yet.
Keeping Books on The Shelves. Seven Days reviews current legislation that would made it more challenging to ban books in Vermont’s school libraries.
Principal’s Guide to Reading Comprehension. Education Week reports on a recent national survey and what it can tell school leaders about helping kids learn to read.
Fix The Tests. The New York Times recently published an opinion piece about the problems of standardized testing – as well as policy recommendations for making the tests better. Gift link
“I Don’t Think It’s A Death Knell.” Seven Days covers Goddard College’s president defending the decision to drop residential classes and provide only on-line instruction.
School Protocol for Suicide Prevention. AOE, VDH, and DMH recently published a model protocol for suicide prevention and postvention – what to do after an event.
“Learn from Cabot.” In a VTDigger opinion piece, the principal of one of Vermont’s few preK-12 schools, lays out the benefits and many successes of a community-based school, and encourages readers to advocate to legislators for more innovation and fewer closures and consolidation.