Weekly Field Memo: Recent News and Items of Interest From the Agency

Content:

From Guidance to Action: AI in Vermont Schools

Audience: All Administrators, Educators and communities

You've probably heard that the Agency of Education released AI Guidance for Education in January. Maybe you've skimmed it, maybe it's still on your to-do list. Either way, this workshop is your chance to dig into what it says and what it means for your school. We'll walk through the framework together, talk honestly about both the opportunities and the real risks, and help you figure out where to start. Whether you're already experimenting with AI or still figuring out what the fuss is about, this session will give you a practical foundation to build on. This workshop will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 25th from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. Review the event details on our website and register for the event.

Contact: Josh Blumberg at [email protected]

Save the Date! 2026 BEST Summer Institute

Audience: School teams, including educators, caregivers/family members, students, and community

Cultivating Connection and Compassion: Building on 30 Years of Learning and Growing Together. June 22-25, 2026, Killington, VT. The BEST Summer Institute, funded with support from the Agency of Education, offers an immersive experience for school teams, including educators, caregivers/family members, students, and community partners. This experience is thoughtfully designed to enhance your skills and to rejuvenate your approach to supporting the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of all students. Review our online save the date (Keynotes and Anticipated Strands and Workshops). Registration materials will be made available by March 4, 2026.

Contact: Anne Dubie, BEST Project Program Specialist at [email protected]

Developing Simple Functional Behavioral Assessments & Student Support Plans to Support Student Success

Audience: C ounselors, Behavior Specialists

Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a process for identifying the events that reliably predict and maintain an identified behavior. A Student Support Plan (SSP) takes the observations made in an FBA and turns them into a plan of action for supporting a student's access to educational and social opportunities at school. This two-part training will focus on systems needed to develop the capacity to conduct FBA/SSPs and practical approaches to developing effective FBAs/SSPs. During Part 1 of the training, participants will spend time practicing the FBA process for a pre-selected student and creating a plan to finalize the FBA and SSP back at their school. Part 2 of the training will provide the opportunity for teams to revisit the FBA previously developed during Part 1, analyze data to refine or modify the FBA, and develop their SSP. This training offers a hands-on learning experience, and individuals gain competency in facilitating and conducting simple FBAs and SSPs. Please note this is a two-part training: Tuesday, March 10th, and Tuesday, April 7th 2026, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM.Register via our online form by February 24, 2026.

Contact: Anne Dubie, BEST Project Program Specialist at [email protected]

River Valley Technical Center: Pilot Online CTE Programs (Grades 10-12)

Audience: Superintendents, Administrators, School Counselors, CTE Directors/Coordinators, Flexible Pathway Coordinators, WBL Coordinators, Community Members

River Valley Technical Center is meeting Vermont students where they are, online, in several pilot online CTE programs. RVTC's innovative Cybersecurity and Information Technology programs deliver professional-grade technology education directly to students' homes across eligible Vermont school districts. Students use Dell Pro 16 laptops on loan for the duration of the program, earn industry-recognized CompTIA certifications, and gain college credits through partnerships with River Valley Community College and Champlain College. Half-day scheduling allows participation in home school activities while building marketable skills. From computer systems and network security to web development and digital design, RVTC students graduate career-ready for high-demand technology positions. Applications are now open for grades 10-12 statewide. Learn more about the RVTC'sInformation Technology / Cybersecurity online program and Digital Media Production online program.

Contact: Derek Williams, RVTC Superintendent at [email protected]

Independent School BTA Informational Webinar

Audience: Current or prospective independent school BTA team members, independent school leadership

The Agency of Education Safe and Healthy Schools division, in collaboration with the Independent Schools team, will host an informational Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) webinar for independent schools on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 3:00-5:00 PM. This webinar will include information about statewide BTA requirements for independent schools, as well as a review of resources provided by the Agency. Agency staff will be available to answer questions. This event is open to independent school leadership and current or prospective BTA team members at independent schools. Participants must be registered to attend. Please see the Independent School BTA Webinar registration page to learn more.

Contact: Taylor Goodwin at [email protected]

Behavioral Threat Assessment Annual Training - Last Dates for SY25-26

Audience: Current school BTA team members

The last available dates for Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) annual training for the 2025-2026 school year are March 10th and 12th. Please ensure that all BTA team members have taken the training to meet annual requirements under Act 29 of 2023. Registration is available through The Behavioral Threat Assessment Annual Training page on the AOE BTA webpage.

Contact: Taylor Goodwin at [email protected]

Behavioral Threat Assessment Webinar: Considerations for Special Populations

Audience: Current and prospective school Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) team members

The Vermont Agency of Education is pleased to host a half-day, virtual webinar for school BTA team members on Thursday, March 26th online from 8:00 - 12:00 PM. Join presenter Dr. Stephanie Leite, national school threat assessment expert, to learn about current best practices and considerations for special populations, including students with disabilities, when conducting a threat assessment. This webinar is for current or prospective school BTA team members. This webinar does not count towards annual BTA training requirements. Please see the BTA Considerations for Special Populations Webinar to register.

Contact: Taylor Goodwin at [email protected]

The VT Agency of Education is hiring

Audience: All Administrators, Educators and communities

The Vermont Agency of Education is hiring. To support our ongoing recruitment efforts and keep the field informed, all current open positions at the Agency will now be shared in the Weekly Field Memo (WFM). We encourage you to review, share, and distribute these opportunities throughout your schools, districts, and professional networks. View two current openings on the VT Careers website. Thank you for helping us spread the word and connect talented professionals with meaningful work in Vermont education!

The following positions have been posted: