Right now education funding and reform is a huge topic in Montpelier and could have real impacts on our schools and our pocketbooks. We are encouraging students, school workers, caregivers, and community members to come together to ensure our voices are heard. Rank and file VT-NEA members and the Education Justice Coalition of Vermont have created the VT Education Town Hall Organizing Toolkit to support communities to organize town halls.

Trump has issued an executive order that allows immigration enforcement to have unbridled power in previously protected public spaces, including schools. While this executive order may appear all-powerful, schools still have ways to work to protect students’ rights. Our community members have put together this resource to provide more information about Trump's Executive Order, and what you can do to make schools a safer place for all students now. 

We want all Vermont children to have access to high-quality education. We know that Vermont’s public education funding system needs an overhaul, but the plan proposed by Secretary Saunders does not center the needs of children across the state. Please join us and take action on February 11th.

At the start of Black History Month, we wanted to provide some resources for educators when planning Black History curriculum. We’re also sharing upcoming Black History Month events open to the community. Acknowledging the range of heavy emotions the current political climate has brought, it is important to still find reasons for joy and celebration within our communities.

Last year over 30% of school budgets did not pass. This year we need to organize to support public education. Here is some more info describing what happens when a school budget does not pass. We also recognize there are larger changes needed in our system to ensure school funding does not burden low income homeowners. And we are working to organize for these changes. We hope to see a more income based system in the future.

 Our coalition has come together because we are stronger united. We want 2STLGBQIA+ youth, BIPOC youth, youth with disabilities, and those living at the intersections of these identities to know: we’ve got your back and we’re here to work for and with you!

The election can be a stressful time for our students. We asked the youth we work with how schools can help support them during the election. They talked about the importance of having choice and described two spaces that would feel supportive during the week of the election.

The Agency of Education is hosting listening sessions throughout the state NOW through November 6th. We encourage you to attend these meetings to help carry out our mission of promoting justice for ALL students in the Vermont education system.

The Coalition mourns the civilian loss of life regardless of their traditions, ethnic identities, or political identities and wishes for a world without war. We know that everyone cannot be safe and free until Israeli apartheid falls. We stand in solidarity for a free Palestine and echo the calls for a permanent ceasefire. On this solemn anniversary, we urge you to continue learning and hold spaces for reflective, empathetic conversation.

We recognize the impact that this mass eviction will have on school communities as educators scramble to support their unhoused students. Learn about actions steps you can take to say yes to a world where all students, families, and community members of any background or immigration status are housed in safe, affordable housing.

We hosted our second annual Summer Social Justice Camp (SSJC) July 23-Aug. 1. SSJC is a two-week day camp hosted by youth for youth. Attendees of the camp not only learn and discuss these issues; they also build skills to bring about change. Learn more about this year's camp.

We hosted our second annual BIPOC Overnight Camp at the Common Ground Center Aug. 18-22nd. Twenty-nine campers joined us from all over Vermont. Read about our camp and check out some photos.

Are you looking for summer professional development opportunities? Look no further. We worked with our community to compile a list of Summer Equity & Antiracism Professional Development for educators. Check out the list of amazing courses offered or taken by educators in our community!

On April 30th, 19 senators voted not to confirm Saunders. Unfortunately, within minutes of the vote, Governor Scott appointed Saunders in an interim position, which could last until February 2025. It is unprecedented for state senators to vote down a nomination. Together we made the unprecedented occur. There are further action steps we can take to build on this momentum.

We hosted our second annual statewide Education for Social Justice Conference on Saturday, April 13th, at White River Valley High School in South Royalton. The theme was “Powered by the People, Collective Power for Collective Liberation”. The conference was planned by a group of youth and adults from all the state over the span of six months. There were about 225 in-person attendees and about 40 virtual attendees.

The move by Phil Scott to appoint a Secretary of Education that has no experience working in schools is an insult to all educators working tirelessly to serve Vermont students. We have the power to reject this appointment by speaking out to our State Senators and encouraging them to say no to the appointment of Zoie Saunders in order to preserve and protect our public schools. We demand a pro-public schools Secretary of Education and will accept nothing less. Take action by sending your senator a letter.

Many people in our community may have heard about the conflict between the Odanak and the Abenaki where the Odanak is denouncing the state-recognized Abenaki tribes as pretending to be indigenous. Whether or not we address it publicly, these conversations are happening and intersect with the mission and vision of the Education Justice Coalition.

While the Education Quality Standards passed the initial phase of the state board in the spring of 2023 it is now in the rule-making process. Now the VT State Board of Education is watering down the definition of discrimination to exclude discrimination based on socioeconomic class. We say keep the definition of discrimination inclusive to protect all students!

We had our annual full coalition retreat at Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT. About forty youth and adults invested in the coalition came together to reflect on the past and plan for the future.

Right now a Holocaust Education bill (S. 87) is in senate education that will require all students grades 6th through 12th to learn about the holocaust for at least six hours a year. While we firmly support the teaching of the Holocaust we believe 1) Holocaust should be taught in depth and in context and 2) Genocide is a global issue and this bill should include a global perspective.