Introduction and Background
The AOE is dispersing funds in order to support SUs/SDs in providing an opportunity to complement and/or amplify their existing middle school and high school professional learning needs as described in the Education Quality Standards (EQS) 2121.3 through an opportunity for summer professional learning. The AOE is offering competing funds to support schools who are seeking to enhance educator content knowledge and pedagogy in the content area of mathematics. A total of $70,000 is available for this award. Registration and POs can be issued prior to July 1, 2025, but no payment may be made prior to July 1, 2025. SUs/SDs will be reimbursed after July 1, 2025. An informational meeting will be forthcoming May 2025.
The proposed opportunity will provide content-rich, research-aligned professional learning tailored to the needs of Vermont’s educators, with a focus on key mathematical domains such as algebra, functions, geometry, statistics, and mathematical modeling. Learning experiences will be grounded in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Vermont’s Proficiency-Based Graduation Requirements (PBGRs), and the broader goals of personalized, student-centered instruction. The courses will also integrate equitable instructional strategies and support for rural educators, reflecting Vermont’s demographic and geographic diversity.
Grant Purpose and Details
By strengthening math content knowledge and pedagogical skill through sustained professional learning, this initiative aims to build educator capacity, improve student outcomes, and advance the broader goals of secondary school reform in Vermont.
Grant Objectives
The proposed professional learning initiatives must:
- Strengthen educator content knowledge in core mathematical domains including algebra, functions, geometry, statistics, and mathematical modeling.
- Align with research-based principles of effective professional development,
- Include sustained duration, active learning, coherence with local instructional goals, and collaboration.
- Embed equity-focused strategies that address the specific challenges of rural and historically underserved communities in Vermont.
- Support continuation in other related coursework
- Contribute to improved instructional quality and student achievement in secondary mathematics classrooms.
The grant application will address the following questions:
- How will the proposed professional learning experience complement and/or enhance your existing secondary mathematics curriculum and current school or district focus areas (e.g., proficiency-based learning, personalized instruction, or equity initiatives)? Please describe how this opportunity aligns with your SU/SD’s strategic goals and instructional priorities.
- What is your plan for sustaining and scaling the impact of this professional learning beyond the summer experience? Include any plans for follow-up, coaching, peer collaboration, integration into school-year PD, and strategies for maintaining momentum in future years.
- How will you assess the success of this professional learning experience? Describe the tools, methods, or indicators you will use to measure both educator learning (e.g., changes in knowledge or practice) and student outcomes (e.g., engagement, achievement, equity of access).
- What strategies will you use to communicate progress and outcomes to the AOE or other relevant stakeholders? Please outline how you will document implementation, collect feedback, and prepare your final report to ensure transparency and accountability.
Grant funds may be used to support professional learning:
- Attendance (and costs associated) at summer professional learning experiences that address the aforementioned content, specific to math at the secondary level
- Examples include but are not limited to:
- The VMI is offering several mathematics education courses this summer in the Burlington area. The following courses are being offered. Click on the course name to get more information or scroll down.
- Examples include but are not limited to:
- Instructional materials and resources
Meeting Structure and Locations
Meeting locations and times will be determined by the professional learning opportunity selected and availability of space. VMI courses will be offered from 8:30-4:30 Monday of each week, 8:00-4:00 Tuesday-Friday of the chosen course’s week in July, at the VTSU/VTC campus in Williston, VT (please see course-specific one-pager for more information).
Grant Award Amount
This grant will fund SU/SDs in supporting professional learning for secondary (7-12) math educators for summer 2025. SU/SDs are asked to submit a proposal for educators interested in participating in professional learning related to secondary math (7-12) instruction.
Vermont Agency of Education Funding Priorities
This competitive grant will support a project that:
- Identifies how this grant aligns with, supports, and/or enhances, the school’s curriculum and/or a current focus on math education
- Develops a sustainability plan for continued math content education
- Describes the measures that will be used to determine successful implementation of the learning and student outcomes of this opportunity
- Details strategies for communication with the AOE, including the final report to the AOE and any stakeholders
Project Award and Timeline
The grant period is projected to begin on July 1, 2025 (or upon execution of the grant agreements) and expire on June 30, 2026, with the expectation that all grantees participate fully in all program meetings. The grantee is expected to provide a budget request for the identified grant activity period.
Timeline
Grant Application released: May 30, 2025
Application Deadline: June 13, 2025
Awards Announced: July 1, 2025
Anticipated Grant Duration: June 30, 2026
Number of Awards: Number of awards will be determined by number of applications received and available funding.