It attempted to implement a traditional standardized test in 1989, but received so much criticism from educators that it dropped the plan. It is also one of a very few states that allows school districts to decide whether or not they will participate in the program.
Most districts do participate.
Vermont's voluntary state assessment program is made up of portfolios and uniform tests. Writing and Mathematics Portfolios are administered at grades four and eight, with plans to expand to grade ten. All students develop portfolios, but only a sample of the portfolios are scored and included in the official state assessment. Uniform test results in mathematics and writing in grades four and eight are included in the portfolio and used, in part, to confirm portfolio ratings. During the 1992-93 school year, fourth and eighth graders in participating school districts began compiling portfolios in mathematics and writing.