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Thibault, Joseph G.

College of Education and Social Services

2007

MEd

This paper explores Vermont's education system by examining historical trends, recent legislation and unexplored factors that contribute to its contemporary success. Vermont's contemporary success is framed by national recognition given by the Morgan Quitno Press, which designated it as the Smartest State in 2006. In recent years Vermont's residents and students have enjoyed one of the most successful and equitable education systems in the United States. Spurred by legislation aimed at leveling the playing field for Vermont students and fostered by Vermont's rural nature, the state currently boasts one of the nation's lowest pupil-to-teacher ratio (PTR) and one of the highest levels of per pupil expenditure (PPE).
The current level of high spending, paired with the high growth rate of total education expenditures has also ushered in public unrest and scrutiny of education spending and property tax rates (which are the primary source of education funding). As a result, the current education policy discussion in Vermont is focused on the cost, quality and bureaucratic structure of the local education system, rather than the causal factors of its success. Given Vermont's rural-character and low PTR, it is possible that small classes represent a partial explanation for Vermont student success. In this paper, special attention is given to the findings of Class Size Reduction (CSR) efforts in Tennessee, Wisconsin and California. These studies help to explain the impact of small classes on student achievement.