Source: VT Agency of Education
Research has shown lifelong benefits from investments in early childhood programs. Vermont changed assessment tools in 2014-2015 with a new Ready for Kindergarten! Survey. Initial results from 2015-2016 shows a significant increase in the number of children prepared to enter Kindergarten. Results can be found here.
Source: VT Agency of Education
Vermont began a new testing regime in 2015 to evaluate the achievement gap in K-12 education and assess mastery of specific content by individual children. As in last year’s testing results, English language proficiency is strong among a majority of younger students as well as a majority of high schoolers. In contrast, math proficiency rates are high in the younger students but decline steadily in higher grades.
Source: VT Agency of Education
With strong high school graduation rates, the state has set a target of 60% post-secondary enrollment. This target includes a wide range of professional certifications and technical training programs, as well as attainment of 2 or 4 year college degrees.
Source: U.S. Census (ACS 2016 5-year estimates, Table S1501)
The educational mix of Vermont’s population reflects a diversity of expertise and training that powers the state’s businesses, institutions and communities. Few Vermonters have less than a high school degree, and a high proportion have graduate degrees. Today’s low rate of post-secondary attainment in Vermont’s high school graduates, and the large number of highly skilled people retiring, raises questions about how the educational profile of Vermont’s active workforce will change.