The Education Quality Standards, or EQS, describe what a high-quality education should look like for students attending Vermont’s public schools. The Rules are an update to 1997’s School Quality Standards, and were approved by the Vermont State Board of Education in 2013, going into effect on April 5, 2014.
Education Quality Standards That Take Effect July 1, 2025
These updated Education Quality Standards take effect July 1, 2025.
The purpose of these updated rules is to ensure that all Vermont students are afforded educational opportunities that are substantially equal in quality and are equitable, anti-racist, culturally responsive, anti-discriminatory, and inclusive, thus enabling each student to achieve or exceed the performance standards approved by the State Board of Education.
These updated rules are designed to ensure continuous improvement in student performance, instruction, and leadership to enable students to attain rigorous standards in high-quality programs, both in traditional school based settings and in extended learning opportunities, with the latter including, but not necessarily limited to, virtual, work-based, co-curricular community-based and service-learning opportunities, community research and civic and community engagement projects, dual enrollment and early college, career technical education and adult education and learning.
Key components of the updated rules include:
- Strengthened requirements for educators to use evidence-based practices that reflect diverse perspectives and foster inclusive learning environments;
- New procedures for districts to report data, establish inclusive feedback and complaint processes, and enable students to engage in ethnic and social equity studies; and
- Expansion of student nondiscrimination and inclusion policies both in basic curriculum and extracurricular programs.
Variance and Waiver
Upon written request of a school district board and after opportunity for hearing, the State Board may approve an alternative method for meeting the requirements of these rules when:
(a) the alternative method is consistent with the intent of the rule;
(b) the variance permits the school board to carry out locally established objectives; and
(c) granting the variance does not contravene any state or federal law, any federal regulation, or any rule of any state agency other than the State Board, unless such rules themselves permit the granting of a waiver or variance.
Upon request of a school board, the Secretary may waive class and caseload size requirements where:
(a) necessary to carry out locally established objectives;
(b) student learning will not be adversely affected;
(c) classroom control will not be compromised; and
(d) it is otherwise in the best interests of student learning.
The procedure for submitting a Waiver Request Form to the Agency of Education and State Board of Education is as follows:
1) The Superintendent and School Board Chair shall complete and sign the Waiver Request Form
2) The completed Waiver Request Form - Print Version and any supporting documents shall be sent to the Vermont Agency of Education contact referenced at the bottom of the form.
Resources to Support Implementation
The Education Quality Standards reflect multiple prominent Vermont Agency of Education initiatives that we provide resources and support implementing, including
- Proficiency-based learning
- Proficiency-based graduation requirements
- An expansion of Vermont’s required Curriculum Content Areas and Transferable Skills
- Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss)
- Local Level Continuous Improvement Plans
- Local Comprehensive Assessment Systems
- Flexible Pathways (originally mandated in Act 77)
- Personalized Learning Plans (originally mandated in Act 77)
