Youth council proposes school-choice pilot, longer preschool hours and more specialist teachers

Karen Burns, executive member of the youth council’s education committee, told the Senate Government Operations Committee that the committee’s three education recommendations aim to expand options and supports for Vermont students.

“Every student learns differently,” Karen Burns said, urging a pilot to allow a percentage of students per grade to transfer to public or private schools that accept public funding. The council recommended using a randomized lottery, piloting the program for two years and initially limiting participation to 10–20 students per grade level.

The council also proposed increasing state-funded preschool from the current 10 hours per week to a range of 10–25 hours weekly, arguing extended hours improve early language, problem-solving and social development. Finally, the council asked the General Assembly to increase the number of specialist teachers and certified school personnel—counselors, special-education instructors and literacy coaches—using incentives such as loan forgiveness and relocation bonuses to attract and retain staff.

During committee questioning, Senator Clarkson asked about the council’s process for selecting recommendations and whether members attended public or private schools; the presenter said the education committee included about four to five students and one member attended private school, and the group discussed constitutional issues of public funds for private education.

No bill was introduced during the hearing; committee members requested the council provide its slide deck and to coordinate further with education staff.