§ 164 - State board, general powers and duties - Vermont Statutes

§ 164. State board, general powers and duties

The state board shall have supervision over, and management of the department of education and the public school system, except as otherwise provided; and shall:

(1) Establish such advisory commissions as in the judgment of the board will be of assistance to it in carrying out its duties. Advisory commission members shall serve with or without compensation at the discretion of the board but shall receive actual expenses incurred in pursuance of their duties.

(2) Have the authority to enter into agreements with school districts, municipalities, states, the United States, foundations, agencies, or individuals for service, educational programs or research projects.

(3) Examine and determine all appeals which by law are made to it and prescribe rules of practice in respect thereto, not inconsistent with law.

(4) Biennially or as required by the governor cause to be prepared a budget for all money to be expended by the department of education.

(5) [Repealed.]

(6) Make regulations governing the attendance and records of attendance of all pupils and the deportment of pupils attending public schools.

(7) Make regulations under and in accordance with chapter 25 of Title 3 as necessary or appropriate for the execution of its powers and duties and of the powers and duties of all persons under its supervision and control.

(8) [Repealed.]

(9) Implement and continually update standards for student performance in appropriate content areas and at appropriate intervals in the continuum from kindergarten to grade 12 and methods of assessment to determine attainment of the standards for student performance. The standards shall be rigorous, challenging and designed to prepare students to participate in and contribute to the democratic process and to compete in the global marketplace. The standards shall include a standard for reading level proficiency for students completing grade three.

(10) Establish an information clearinghouse and accessible database to help districts share information about educational programs and practices which improve student performance. Educational programs and practices include those designed to create and sustain a safe learning environment.

(11) If deemed advisable, determine educational standards for admission to and graduation from the public schools.

(12) [Repealed.]

(13) Constitute the state board for the program of adult education and literacy and perform all the duties and powers prescribed by law pertaining to adult education and literacy and to act as the state approval agency for educational institutions conducting programs of adult education and literacy.

(14) Adopt rules for approval of independent schools.

(15) Establish criteria governing the establishment of a system for the receipt, deposit, accounting and disbursement of all funds by supervisory unions and school districts.

(16) In cooperation with the commissioner, ensure that information, plans and assistance are developed by the department to aid in making technology and telecommunications available and coordinated in all school districts. The board shall develop guidelines for distribution of federal, state or private funds designated for the development or expansion of distance learning technologies. The guidelines shall encourage, consistent with any terms or conditions established by the funding source, collaboration between schools and school districts to realize economic and educational efficiencies.

(17) Report annually on the condition of education statewide and on a school by school basis. The report shall include information on attainment of standards for student performance adopted under subdivision 164(9) of this section, number and types of complaints of harassment or hazing made pursuant to section 565 of this title and responses to the complaints, financial resources and expenditures, and community social indicators. The report shall be organized and presented in a way that is easily understandable by the general public and that enables each school to determine its strengths and weaknesses. The commissioner shall use the information in the report in determining whether students in each school are provided educational opportunities substantially equal to those provided in other schools pursuant to subsection 165(b) of this title.

(18) Ensure that Vermont's students, including students enrolled in secondary technical education, have access to a substantially equal educational opportunity by developing a system to evaluate the equalizing effects of Vermont's education finance system and school quality standards under section 165 of this title. Beginning in school year 2000 and every five years thereafter, or more often if requested by the general assembly, the state board shall report to the general assembly concerning the results of this evaluation and recommendations for change if needed.

(19) Develop, in consultation with the secretary of state, and make available to school boards, sample ballot language for items which may be voted on by Australian ballot and for which no statutory language exists. (Added 1969, No. 298 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; amended 1971, No. 14, § 5, eff. March 11, 1971; 1975, No. 48, §§ 3, 14, eff. April 15, 1975; 1975, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1981, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1983, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(1); No. 248 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1987, No. 97, § 4, eff. June 23, 1987; 1987, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1989, No. 118, § 3; 1991, No. 24, § 11; 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1997, No. 60, § 3, eff. June 26, 1997; 1997, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 27, 1998; 1999, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 1a; No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 50, eff. July 1, 2003; 2005, No. 214 (Adj. Sess.), § 12; 2007, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2009, No. 44, § 29, eff. May 21, 2009.)