Vermont Agency of Education Releases 2025-2026 Statewide Assessment Results

The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) has announced the preliminary 2025-2026 Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP) statewide results. Each year, students in grades 3-9 are assessed in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics to measure their mastery of the Common Core State Standards, while students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are assessed in science to measure their mastery of the Next Generation Science Standards.

Statewide assessment results demonstrate modest gains in proficiency across nearly every tested grade level and subject, reflecting progress in student achievement following a decade of declining and stagnant performance. At the same time, widening proficiency gaps between historically marginalized students and their peers underscore that these gains are not yet being experienced equally by all students.

In ELA, statewide proficiency rates improved across most grade levels. Students in elementary grades demonstrated steady improvement, while results were mixed among older students. Average proficiency among 9th grade students increased by 4 percentage points, while 8th grade was the only grade level to experience a decline in statewide proficiency compared to 2024-2025.

Proficiency in math increased across all tested grade levels, with statewide proficiency rates ranging from 35% to 51%. Statewide proficiency rates among 7th and 9th grade students increased by 4 percentage points from the prior year. In science, results also demonstrated progress, with statewide proficiency rates increasing by 1 to 2 percentage points in each tested grade level.

Despite these statewide gains, achievement gaps between students from historically marginalized backgrounds and their peers continued to widen when compared with 2024-2025 results. The combination of rising statewide proficiency and widening achievement gaps suggests that gains are occurring more rapidly among students who are not historically marginalized. These disparities reinforce the need to build on statewide progress while accelerating improvement for students who have historically experienced disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes.

"Vermont students are building real momentum, but it's not reaching everyone at the same pace," said Director of Assessment Grace Fischer. "The Agency of Education is committed to tracking these trends closely so we can act before equity gaps grow wider still."

The preliminary statewide results for 2025-2026 are available on the Agency's website. Final statewide results will be released later this fall and are not expected to differ substantially.

Chief Strategy and Accountability Officer Grace Shelton emphasized the importance of the data:

"These results give us an important starting point for understanding where students are doing well and where we need to improve. Our focus is on making data more transparent, timely, and useful so that schools, districts, and the Agency can turn what we're learning into action."

Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders underscored the importance of recognizing statewide improvement while not losing sight of the need to improve equity:

"Statewide improvement in reading, math, and science across nearly every grade level shows what Vermont can achieve when we prioritize educational quality. At the same time, persistent achievement gaps remind us that disparities in resources, expectations, and opportunities remain a reality for far too many children in far too many communities. Alongside broader education transformation efforts, the Agency is focused on educational quality by sustaining the momentum of Read Vermont, strengthening math through Count on Vermont, and improving instruction and supports for all students, especially students with disabilities. We have a clear path forward, and by continuing this work together, we can turn steady progress into stronger outcomes for every student."