Vermont

Has your state passed legislation and/or non-legislated rule changes related to the science of reading?

Yes.

• Act 28: Focused on improving literacy outcomes
• Act 139 of 2024. An act relating to supporting Vermont’s young readers through evidence-based literacy instruction. Act 139 (16 V.S.A. § 2907). Comprehensive literacy legislation requiring universal screening and evidence-based, explicit, and systematic reading instruction of foundational skills for grades K-3.Requires professional learning for all grades K-3 educators. Aims to strengthen educator preparation programs and ensure parents and guardians are informed of their child’s progress.
• Vermont State Board of Education Rule Series 2000 – Education Quality Standards: Updated in 2025 to include a revised definition of ELA and literacy: (a) English language arts and literacy, including critical thinking, language, reading, spelling, comprehension, speaking and listening, and writing. Demonstrating proficiency in literacy includes the ability to engage with language to acquire, construct and communicate meaning, and to shape meaning to identity in aspects of daily living. All students need to receive systematic reading instruction in the early grades from a teacher who is skilled in teaching reading through a variety of evidence-based instructional strategies that take into account language knowledge and skills, as measured by effective assessments (e.g., screening, formative, summative, and diagnostic) and the linguistic background of each student. Some students may require intensive supplemental instruction tailored to the unique difficulties encountered, irrespective of special education eligibility.
• Section 10 of Act 72 of 2025: An amendment of 16 V.S.A. § 2903 to Amendment to 16 V.S.A. § 2903 that requires supplemental reading instruction for all students (K-12) whose reading proficiency is significantly below grade-level standards or impedes school progress.

The Agency’s guidance on implementation of these can be found on the Read Vermont site in the putting literacy laws into practice section.

Does your state have an approved curriculum list?

No. Vermont does not have an approved curriculum list.

Please describe any other instructional-materials work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable

Evidence-Based Literacy Practices: Instructional Resources: Each of these documents provides information about evidence-based practices recommended in one of the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guides from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). This includes a link to the specific practice guide; the grade level or band the practices support; connections to the Education Quality Standards (EQS); a table containing each evidence-based practice with a link providing more specificity, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) level of evidence, and suggestions for implementation; and a list of research and resources connected to the practices.

Does your state mandate or provide guidance on early screening?

Yes Act 139 of 2024

Review and Recommendations: K-3 Universal Screener reviews universal reading screening instruments most commonly used in Vermont, offers recommendations, and provides practical guidance for screener selection and supplementation to meet Act 139 review criteria. 

Requirements and Recommendations on Screening Notification for Parents and Guardians: Act 139 requires that schools notify parents or guardians when a student’s performance on a reading screener is “significantly below relevant benchmarks as determined by the screener’s guidelines for age-level or grade-level typical development in specific literacy skills.” Schools are also required to notify parents or guardians about “the school’s response” to the screening results.

Does your state have policy or guidance related to instruction and/or professional development

Overview of Act 139 Requirements and Recommendations for Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and Approved Independent Schools summarizes Act 139 requirements for SU/SDs and approved independent schools.

Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading?

The Blueprint is out of date and being removed. 

• Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Literacy Success: professional learning series consisting of asynchronous modules for both grades K-3 and grades 4-12, based on the body of evidence that informs effective reading instruction.
• Additional professional learning listed on Read Vermont site as available.

Has your state reviewed standards for alignment to the science of reading?

VT has completed the following standards work

• Common Core State Standards for ELA and Literacy: State-adopted standards contain Foundational Skills standards that align to the science of reading
• Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS): Birth to grade three standards aligned to Common Core from K-3
• Vermont State Board of Education Rule Series 2000 – Education Quality Standards

Does your state have guidance or resources for families related to the science of reading?

Related to screener notification and family notification found in the putting literacy laws into practice section here: Read Vermont

Do you have policy or guidance regarding how to leverage evidence-based practices to support secondary students?

Each of these documents provides information about evidence-based practices recommended in one of the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guides from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). This includes a link to the specific practice guide; the grade level or band the practices support; connections to the Education Quality Standards (EQS); a table containing each evidence-based practice with a link providing more specificity, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) level of evidence, and suggestions for implementation; and a list of research and resources connected to the practices.

• Evidence-Based Practices for Improving Adolescent Literacy
• Evidence-Based Practices for Writing in Secondary School

Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading and Multilingual learners?

Vermont integrates considerations for multilingual English learners in all state-developed and contracted professional learning opportunities and resources.

Does your state have licensure or program approval criteria to ensure Educator Preparation Programs are aligned to the science of reading?

Vermont Agency of Education is currently submitting recommendations to the Vermont Standards Board of Professional Educators to strengthen educator preparation programs’ alignment to evidence-based, structured literacy practices per Act 139 of 2024.

Do you have a “contact us” website that we can share publicly on TRL Compass?

Read Vermont

Please describe and link to any other work you would like to share that relates to the science of reading

VT Advisory Council on Literacy

Read Vermont is a comprehensive, multi-year initiative dedicated to improving literacy outcomes for all students. Building upon Act 139 of 2024, Read Vermont aims to ensure every child can read by third grade while also supporting striving adolescent readers, preparing Vermont students for college or career.

Key priorities of the initiative include: 

• Professional Learning: A range of professional learning opportunities for educators and leaders across all grade levels 
• Job-Embedded Coaching: Intensive, personalized coaching for elementary schools (K-3) in select Supervisory Unions/Districts (SU/SD) based on need 
• Literacy Learning Network: A network of leaders and educators to share knowledge and best practices statewide 
• Guidance Documents and Resources: Comprehensive guidance to help schools implement Act 139 and evidence-based literacy practices 
• Family and Caregiver Engagement: Resources to support educators in engaging families and caregivers in their children’s literacy development