Make Your Voice Heard at the AOE!

Written By Education Justice Coalition of Vermont

The Agency of Education is hosting listening sessions throughout the state NOW through November 6th. “During the Listen and Learn Tour, the Agency will be engaging with education leaders, but also teachers and staff, parents and families, community members, and students as we work towards ensuring equitable access to high quality educational outcomes. These conversations will be supported with relevant data to support conversations on how state, regional and district decisions improve educational outcomes for all students.” (Agency of Education) We encourage you to attend these meetings to help carry out our mission of promoting justice for ALL students in the Vermont education system. 

Here’s what you can consider bringing up:

  • During the data review, ask questions about what data is missing. Was any Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data included that gets at the social emotional wellbeing, especially concerning queer and trans students? Does the data analyze racial disparities? YRBS executive summary for HS and middle school. 

  • Advocate for the updated inclusive Education Quality Standards which needs to be implemented starting July 2025. What is the Agency of Education doing to help prepare admin and teachers? What types of training and technical assistance will be available? 

  • Help ensure that education around genocide includes a global and non-western perspective that goes beyond the Holocaust and includes the current genocide occurring in Gaza. 

  • Share about what’s happening in your school - what’s working and what’s not.

There will be an educator engagement session 4:00-5:30pm followed by a general public engagement session 6:00-8:00pm in the following locations: 

  • Oct. 23rd - Bennington

  • Oct. 23rd - Stowe

  • Oct. 28th - Montpelier

  • Oct. 28th - Rutland

  • Oct. 29th  - Lyndonville

  • Oct. 30th - Enosburg Falls

  • Nov. 4th  - virtual

  • Nov. 6th - virtual

Let’s put pressure on the Agency of Education to create more equitable and just schools that support students’ needs and allows them to be their full selves. 

Education Justice Coalition of Vermont
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