Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 22 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Sub-Agency 000 - GENERAL › Chapter 001 - STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Section 22 000 001 - STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Current through June, 2024
Section 1100 THE
				STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
1110
				Establishment.
1111 Definition: VSA
				§ 11(14).
1112 Departments:
				Created
				3 VSA §
											212.
1120 Powers and Duties.
The powers and duties of the Department of Education are
				  derived from the powers and duties of the State Board of Education and the
				  Commissioner of Education. Title 16 Vermont Statutes Annotated.
1130 Structure of the State
				Department of Education.
The organizational structure of the Vermont Department of
				  Education shall be as recommended by the Commissioner and approved by the State
				  Board of Education.
1140
				Function of the Commissioner's Office ( 16 VSA § 211-212 )
The commissioner serves as chief executive officer of the
				  state board, executes the policies of the state board, and supervises the
				  execution of laws relating to public schools.
In addition, the commissioner serves as liaison to the
				  legislature and the administration, to higher education and other commissions;
				  coordinates the work of four divisions and eight interdepartmental teams,
				  directs and coordinates communication with and information to the public and
				  the school districts; coordinates the department's legal research and
				  evaluation activities and sponsors conferences for school administrators and
				  teachers.
1150 Functions of
				the Divisions.
1151 Department
				Services.
The division performs the following functions: handles
				  department accounting; reports school district accounts; administers and
				  disburses general and school construction indebtedness aid; accounts and
				  reports federally funded projects; draws down and disburses federal funds;
				  accounts and bills for wards of the state; administers department personnel
				  rules; gathers, analyzes, and reports financial and program data from the
				  school districts of the state; and administers the child-nutrition
				  program.
1152 Basic
				Education.
This division is responsible for upgrading the curriculum and
				  educational resources of Vermont's elementary and secondary schools. The bulk
				  of its work consists of providing consultation in a variety of curriculum areas
				  for the state's 450 public and private schools.
The Curriculum and Instruction Unit provides up to-date
				  expertise in the major school subject areas and makes this available to schools
				  through on-site consultation, statewide and regional work-shops, newsletters,
				  and curriculum guides. It also provides leadership and consultation to school
				  principals, oversees the state's Basic Competency Program, and operates special
				  curriculum projects in health, economics, citizenship, and drivers'
				  education.
The Educational Resources Unit provides a variety of
				  educational services to Vermont schools. It disseminates educational research,
				  operates a teacher-to-teacher training program, encourages sex equity in the
				  schools, approves private schools, and assists with school facility planning.
				  It also maintains the state's teacher certification and placement
				  services.
1153 Adult &
				Vocational Education.
This division focuses on older youths and adults who want
				  training in basic or vocational skills, usually as a means to greater economic
				  self-sufficiency. Within this division, the Adult Education Unit assumes
				  responsibility for the development, coordination, and delivery of educational
				  programs for adults, including basic literacy training, the General Equivalent
				  Diploma (GED), vocational skills training, approval of schools for veterans,
				  operation of the state's Licensed Practical Nursing schools, comprehensive
				  employment and training programs, and instruction for correctional center
				  inmates.
The Secondary Vocational Education Unit supports the work of
				  the state's 16 regional vocational centers and the associated satellite
				  centers. The team also provides consultant expertise in a variety of vocational
				  curriculum areas, coordinates federal and state funding, provides inservice
				  training for teachers, works with vocational youth organizations, and ensures
				  compliance with state and federal program standards.
1154 Special and Compensatory Education.
This division assumes responsibility for meeting the special
				  needs of Vermont's educationally disadvantaged and handicapped students.
				  Coordination of resources and expertise benefits children who are experiencing
				  difficulty in school, either because of handicaps or disadvantagement.
The Special Education Unit assists in the development and
				  implemetation of programs for children whose education is adversely affected by
				  physical or mental impairment. This team provides technical support to school
				  districts, oversees a statewide network of regional special classes, funds
				  school districts and institutions which provide direct instructional services
				  for handicapped children, and monitors compliance with special education
				  regulations.
The Compensatory Education Unit assumes responsibility for
				  students who are educationally disadvantaged -- mostly those who are behind
				  their agemates in achievement but who are not handicapped. This team funds and
				  maintains a compensatory education program in all superintendencies and in many
				  private schools and institutions. It also operates statewide consultant and
				  tutorial programs for children of migrant workers, bilingual children, and
				  children of refugee families. On-site consultant assistance and helpful,
				  regular monitoring of local programs is provided together with teacher training
				  and project evaluation.
1160
				Functions of the Interdepartmental Teams
1161 Regional Teams
The Department of Education has five regional service teams,
				  each serving the school districts and other education related programs or
				  personnel within a specific geographical area of the state. These teams are
				  composed of Department consultants, each representing one of the six program
				  units, and guided by a designated team leader. The primary functions of the
				  teams are communication, coordination, service, advocacy and leadership for the
				  regions, as well as, coordinating and assisting in the monitoring role of the
				  Department. The teams also serve as an extension of department services to the
				  education constituency in their regions and as a vehicle for the exchange of
				  information and services within the regions.
1162 Department Teams
The Department of Education has three teams which coordinate
				  functions common to each division, budget and finance, personnel development
				  and evaluation. These teams are composed of representatives from each of the
				  divisions. The Budget Team coordinates the accounting, financial system and
				  grant administration of the divisions. The Personnel Development Team
				  coordinates inservice planning and professional development activities and
				  serves as the core staff of the Inservice Institute. The Research and Planning
				  Team coordinates department activities in these areas.
1170 Operations.
The functions described above (1150-1156) are delegated to
				  professional staff in the divisions (
				  3 VSA §
												214 ).
1171 Limitations.
In its operations affecting school districts, the State
				  Department of Education and its agents shall be limited by the powers of local
				  electorates (
				  16 VSA §
												562 ), the powers of local school boards (
				  16 VSA §
												563 ), and the duties of superintendents (
				  16 VSA §
												242 ).
1172 Operating Policies and Procedures.
Policies and procedures for the department are developed by
				  the commissioner in consultation with the direct of the several divisions,
				  subject to the requirements of Administrative Procedure (3 VSA Chapter 25) and
				  to state board approval as required.
1173 Policy Affecting Schools.
Basic policy and procedure affecting school districts, other
				  agencies, and the public shall be developed by the department in consultation
				  with advisory boards, councils, or committees as required, subject to state
				  board adoption and compliance with administrative procedure requirements (3 VSA
				  Chapter 25).
1180
				Information and Access.
1181
				Directory.
A directory shall be published annually which includes the
				  department, school districts, and private and higher educational agencies. It
				  shall be distributed to all Vermont school offices and, to the extent
				  practical, to persons requesting it.
1182 Information.
Information regarding any state board policies or regulation
				  or any department program or procedure may be obtained by writing or calling
				  the Office of the Commissioner:
State Department of Education
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
Phone 802-828-3135.