Vermont working to improve education outcomes as test scores are mixed nationally

June 11, 2026 - 05:21

New legislation in Vermont is targeting chronic absenteeism as a key driver of lagging educational outcomes, even as national test score data reveals a fragmented picture of student recovery. Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require schools to adopt more proactive outreach programs, including home visits and personalized support plans for students who miss 10% or more of the school year. The move comes after state data showed that nearly one in four Vermont students were chronically absent last year, a figure that has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

While some states have seen modest gains in math and reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Vermont's results have been uneven. Fourth-grade reading scores dipped slightly, and eighth-grade math performance remained flat. Educators point to the attendance crisis as a major factor. "You cannot teach a child who is not in the room," said one school superintendent. The proposed law would also fund mental health counselors and after-school programs designed to remove barriers to attendance. Critics argue the bill lacks clear enforcement measures, but supporters say the focus on early intervention could reverse a troubling trend. If passed, the new rules would take effect next school year, with a pilot program in four rural districts starting this fall.