PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
STUDENT SUPPORT:
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM (ESS)
(Updated 3/20/13)

Within each school district's comprehensive system of educational services, Title 16 of the Vermont Statutes requires each public school to develop and maintain an educational support system (ESS) for children who require additional assistance in order to succeed in the general education environment. Support includes prevention, intervention, and pre-school services. The educational support system is required to include an educational support team (EST) and a range of support and remedial services, including instructional and behavioral interventions and accommodations. Act 117 requires each school board to assign responsibility for developing and maintaining the ESS to the superintendent or principal. It also requires each superintendent to annually report on the status of the ESS in their schools including how funds, such as Medicaid, are used to support the ESS.

View information related to:

• Legislation and Regulations
• Forms and Templates

Multi-tiered System of Support Professional Learning Opportunity (MTSS) - Deadline December 14, 2012
The Vermont Agency of Education’s Integrated Support for Learning Divisions are pleased to announce professional development grants for schools in School Improvement. Funding for these grants will come from Act 230.

These funds are available for application by Supervisory Unions for their schools in the school improvement process, corrective action or restructuring. Priority will be given to schools that attend the Masons C.A.R.E. Training, and those schools currently in Year 1 School Improvement.

MTSS Application packet:

• We are no longer excepting applications.

FY 2012-2013 BEST/Act 230 Grant Application
FY13 BEST/Act 230 grants are available through application by all Supervisory Unions/Districts in amounts based on an allocation formula. Funds are intended to support capacity building in supervisory unions, districts and schools to meet the needs of students who are at risk of not meeting Vermont’s educational standards. Based on Vermont’s focus of continuous improvement, the Commissioner has designated development of a Behavioral and Academic Multi-tier System of Supports (MTSS) as the priority for use of these funds. Response to Intervention (RTI) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) include evidence-based practices of a MTSS. All BEST/Act 230 grant applications must be submitted as one application for schools within the supervisory union/district and sent electronically with an electronic signature or an e-mail directly from the Superintendent of Schools.

• All BEST/Act 230 grant applications must be submitted by the supervisory union/school district as one application for schools within the union/district
• Applications must be submitted in MS Word format with Superintendent electronic signature or Superintendent email of approval
• Applications must be approved by DOE finance before funds are expended
• Grant period: 7/1/12-6/30/13
• Applications may be submitted immediately, but no later than September 24, 2012 to sabine.baldwin@state.vt.us
  
  BEST/Act 230 Packet:
• Application Cover Letter PDF
• BEST/Act 230 Grant Amendment Form WORD
• BEST/Act 230 Grant Allocations PDF
• BEST/Act 230 FAQ PDF

VTPBiS Training Calendar (2012-2013)
The 2012-13 VTPBiS Training Calendar (and related PBIS costs) is now available online.

Other VTPBiS Potential Related Costs:

• Evening meals ($13 per person for dinner)
• Overnight lodging for double occupancy lodging (approximately $100.00-$120.00)
• Mileage to travel to events @ $.55/mile
• Up to $750 per school for stipends, substitutes, and VTPBiS Leadership Team meeting costs
• Up to $500 per school for VTPBiS related implementation materials

Data Collection and Reporting System Costs-Optional - PBIS School-Wide Information System (SWIS):
If schools choose SWIS (School-Wide Information System), the annual license fee (per school) to access national SWIS data collection system is $250.00. Implementing PBIS Schools at the Targeted Level may also want to purchase CICO SWIS. Per school annual fee is $50.00

Vermont Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (VTPBiS)
Vermont has developed a state-wide system of training and support for implementing VTPBiS in schools. This system has been in existence since 2007 and continues to develop in response to the growing needs of implementing schools. Use this link to view general information about VTPBiS, documents pertinent to the state-wide implementation efforts, and a list of participating schools and related training sessions.

Accommodations & Instructional Strategies That Can Help Students PDF
This document provides a listing of possible teaching accommodations that may benefit some students who may be having difficulty being successful in school. This list should only be used after considerable thought about the strengths and challenges of an individual student. Users are encouraged to develop their own accommodations beyond this list of suggestions.

English Language Learners in Vermont: Distinguishing Language Difference from Disability - A Resource Guide PDF
Prepared by a broad coalition of interested groups and individuals, this document is intended to supplement the department's 1994 publication, Serving Students Learning English as a Second Language: A Guide for Vermont Educators, that addressed the provision of basic educational services to English Language Learners (ELLs). This new resource guide intends to improve services for ELLs by offering a wide range of information, analysis and resources designed to address significant issues that arise when educators and families realize that a student may need, in addition to ELL services, special education services.

Debora Price , ESS Consultant
(802) 828-0154 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
debora.price@state.vt.us

Bruce Smith, ESS Consultant
(802) 828-5829 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
bruce.smith@state.vt.us

Josh Souliere, ESS Consultant
(802) 828-0552 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
josh.souliere@state.vt.us

A Vermont Government Website Copyright © 2013 State of Vermont. All rights reserved