Education

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 ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases dual enrollment eligibility (2 to 4 courses) and removes financial barriers for lower-income/rural students, directly expanding educational access and equity in K-12/higher education pathways.95% confidence

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

Track

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 657: An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

This bill (H 657) enables unaccompanied homeless youth aged 16+ to access key services without parental consent. It creates a certification process where youth verified as homeless by school liaisons, shelter directors, or homeless service providers receive a standardized form from the Department for Children and Families. This certification allows youth to obtain medical/dental care, mental health services, driver’s licenses, housing, school enrollment, banking services, and vital records - without needing parental permission. The bill clarifies that parental consent is not required if parents forced the youth out, neglected them, or refused support, with the Department acting in place of a guardian.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables homeless youth to enroll in school without parental consent, directly expanding educational access for a vulnerable population.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly enables unaccompanied homeless youth to access medical/dental care and mental health services without parental consent, improving healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables homeless youth (16+) to access housing services without parental consent, directly addressing homelessness and facilitating housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2026

H 618: An act relating to school counselors

This bill requires Vermont school counselors to spend at least 80% of their time providing direct or indirect student services, such as academic/career counseling or social-emotional support, rather than administrative or non-counseling tasks. It directly affects all licensed or master’s-degree-holding school counselors in Vermont public schools, as defined by the bill. The law mandates that counselors dedicate no more than 20% of their time to "school support services" like substitute teaching or coordinating special education plans, which the bill cites as common distractions. This aligns with the American School Counselors Association’s recommendation to prioritize student-facing work, based on findings that 39% of counselors reported being overwhelmed by inappropriate duties. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 80% counselor time on student services (academic/social-emotional support), directly enhancing student access to counseling resources per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 705: An act relating to the creation of the Student Secular Bill of Rights

H.705 would require Vermont public schools to adopt policies protecting students' right to practice or not practice any religion on school grounds, based on a model policy developed by the Agency of Education. The law prohibits school-sponsored religious activities and ensures students cannot be forced to participate in religious exercises. It creates a private right of action, allowing students or families to sue if schools violate these protections. The bill aims to align school policies with established Supreme Court rulings on church-state separation in education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student religious freedom in schools, ensuring non-discrimination and aligning with educational access rights through mandatory policies and legal recourse.90% confidence

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 221: An act relating to creating an equitable vision for implementing civic education

S.221, the "Civics Strengthens Democracy Act," requires all Vermont public school districts to provide civics education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The bill defines civics as nonpartisan education covering civic knowledge (history, institutions), skills (critical analysis, communication), dispositions (inclusion, civil discourse), and behaviors (voting, community engagement). Key provisions include allowing project-based student assessments, creating recognition for exemplary students/schools (via a "civic seal"), and establishing a dedicated Civics Education Special Fund for funding. This bill directly affects Vermont's K-12 public schools and students by mandating comprehensive civic learning aligned with specific evidence-based teaching methods.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates comprehensive K-12 civics education curriculum, enhancing student civic skills/knowledge per bill's core requirement to strengthen educational standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 552: An act relating to extending coverage of the Parental and Family Leave Act to full-time teachers

This bill extends Vermont's Parental and Family Leave Act coverage to include full-time teachers in elementary, secondary schools, and higher education institutions. It amends the definition of "employee" under the law to explicitly include these teachers, aligning with federal regulations (29 C.F.R. § 825.102) that already cover them. The change ensures these educators qualify for leave benefits previously available to other covered employees. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends parental leave benefits to teachers, supporting educator workforce stability and retention in K-12 and higher education institutions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends parental leave benefits to teachers, expanding employment protections and aligning with federal standards for covered employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

Track

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 ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill repeals most provisions of a comprehensive education reform package, retaining only minor elements (tuition rules, board appointments). Repeal indicates opposition to prior education policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2026

H 818: An act relating to mental health screening in schools

H 818 establishes a voluntary mental health screening program for Vermont public school students, administered by school supervisory unions in collaboration with the Agency of Education and Department of Mental Health. The bill requires schools to obtain parental consent before screening students for age-appropriate mental health conditions, provide results to parents, and refer students needing support to resources. Funding of $10,000 is initially appropriated for the program, with 90% distributed based on student enrollment and 10% allocated as needed for additional support. Schools must comply with FERPA privacy rules and provide annual reports on participation and outcomes to the legislature. This affects all Vermont public school students and their families through school-based screening options.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes voluntary mental health screening program in schools with $10k funding, enhancing student support services within educational settings per bill's requirements.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes voluntary mental health screening in schools with $10k funding, connecting students to resources per bill's requirements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Public Health

Track

in committee · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2026

S 161: An act relating to the Governor’s list of scholarship granting organizations

This bill creates a process for Vermont's Governor to maintain an annual list of scholarship organizations eligible for a federal tax credit. It directly affects Vermont taxpayers who donate to qualifying organizations and the scholarship organizations themselves. To be listed, organizations must be nonprofits focused on underprivileged students, provide scholarships only to students at public or eligible private schools, and meet federal criteria. The Governor must submit the list to the U.S. Treasury by December 1 each year, with a presumption that previously listed organizations remain eligible unless the Governor finds noncompliance. This enables Vermont taxpayers to claim the federal qualified education scholarship tax credit (26 U.S.C. § 25F) for donations to these organizations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit pathway for scholarships to underprivileged students, expanding educational access through nonprofit organizations focused on K-12 scholarship programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

Track

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 ✓ EducationSupports EducationGrants strike rights to higher education employees, strengthening labor protections for educators within public institutions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants public higher education employees the right to strike, directly protecting collective bargaining rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

Track