Time for a Collective Effort in Support of Public Education in Vermont
Public education in Vermont has experienced a substantial disequilibrium given all of the debate around its structure and funding. With perennial political rhetoric that advances a narrative that Vermont schools are spending too much money and not getting the results we need, it is understandable that the general public and tax payers have likely grown increasingly disillusioned with public education. Often it is our small rural schools that are portrayed as inefficient, high spenders who provide inadequate educational opportunities for our children. For many small, rural schools, much of these conversations confront the viability of maintaining public schools in their communities. Now, more than ever, we need a collective effort in support of public education in Vermont.
Like ecosystems in the natural world, we are faced with complex networks, the need for continuous adaptation to change, and the challenges and opportunities of our interdependence.
We are facing what sometimes are referred to as Wicked Problems that do not have straight forward solutions. Meanwhile, after two years of consideration in the Legislature, we have new legislation that purports to transform public education in Vermont and set the groundwork to implement a shift to a foundation formula where spending is determined by those in Montpelier and not local communities.
The Legislature has contended with the question of redistricting and an overhaul of the education finance system, while a commission and task force have wrestled with both. However, we will not solve our challenge to fund public education despite the promise of increased efficiencies of larger school districts, nor even the change in a funding system. Continued cost drivers, such as health care and pension obligations, decreased federal support, and any substantial downturn in the economy will result in a confluence of pressures that will test the sustainability of our public schools. Even a shift to a more onerous excess spending threshold is not going to mitigate the pressure placed on our state with limited resources. Vermont is the most rural state in the nation. It is unrealistic to expect we can achieve economies of scale through district consolidation. Vermont’s challenges also go beyond education. Housing, health care, rural hospitals and environmental concerns present persistent challenges and demands on state resources. We will have to prioritize well beyond what we are currently contending with and consider additional revenue to maintain a quality education system.
Despite our many challenges as a state, and specifically in education, our public schools persist. Schools across Vermont demonstrate resilience, innovation, and positive learning outcomes for students. Yes, there are areas we must address. However, the good news about the good work and learning happening in our public schools does not get out to the broader public. We need a collective campaign to promote the public good of public education and to commit to the kind of investments that will impact student learning for each and every Vermont student.
We need to take a lesson from Maine. Over the past year they have launched Maine Loves Public Schools and an amazing video series called Learning From Maine. Like Maine, there are many examples of exceptional teachers, wonderful programs and strong student achievement across Vermont schools–big, small, and rural, along a wide continuum. The Vermont Rural Education Collaborative (VREC) does our small part to present a positive narrative through our Field Notes stories of exemplary school programs and practices. In addition, our Voices of Rural Vermont Teachers profiles teachers with incredible passion for their work, and validates the meaningful impact educators have on their students and school-communities.
There are schools across Vermont that embrace a holistic approach with relevant and engaging opportunities via place-based and project-based learning. Schools that have implemented the pillars of Community Schools have shown great promise in decreasing chronic absenteeism and increasing outcomes via extended school day and school year programs. There are countless examples of schools and their supervisory unions and districts addressing the wide range of needs students and families face and providing pathways to success beyond their secondary school. Vermont’s children are well served in our public schools, including our many small, rural schools!
Vermonters are a pragmatic and resilient bunch. We will need to dig deep into our well of social capital to find collaborative solutions. We need member organizations to join forces with a wide range of state level organizations and local community partners to celebrate and promote what is best about our public schools, and especially rural schools. …and, we need the Vermont Agency of Education, Administration, and Legislature to be champions for public education.
The reality is that we need to embrace both continuity and change as we contemplate school district consolidation and changes in the funding. Yes, we have a lot of work ahead to ensure the affordability and sustainability of a high quality education system in Vermont. Let’s collectively commit to investing in and promoting the public good of public education. Thriving communities and a thriving state need thriving public schools!
