In the Senate The Senate Education Committee continued its work on a number of issues last week. These requirements appear to be part of the social studies standards in the Vermont Framework. Perhaps the Department needs to assure the legislature that schools are, in fact, meeting the standards in this critical area of citizen education. Superintendents confirmed that a large number of high schools have existing arrangements with both independent and public postsecondary institutions that allow high school students to participate in college courses. The arrangements vary.
Some students participate at no charge while others pay a variety of tuition charges.
At some schools, individual students pay for courses, while in others, the costs are assumed by the school district. As a result of the additional information, VSBA and VSA asked the Committee to take some time to investigate what is currently in place before creating a new financial entitlement where none may be needed. The Committee will continue with further exploration of this topic. The Senate General Affairs Committee took preliminary testimony on S. 161, a bill to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The bill would have employees paid from the unemployment compensation fund which would be reimbursed from general fund monies.