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Learning Standards Standards

What does a student learn in ?

Vermont leans on national frameworks rather than writing its own from scratch. The state adopted the Common Core for math and English in 2010, the Next Generation Science Standards in 2013, and refreshed its social studies framework in 2014. The result is a course of study that looks familiar to families moving in from other Common Core states, with Vermont-specific choices showing up mostly in how schools teach it.

  • Common Core
  • NGSS
  • VT Social Studies Standards
Source: Vermont Common Core State Standards
The shape of K-12
A plain-language read of how the state runs school.
What students learn
Math and English follow the Common Core from kindergarten through high school, so students work on the same reading, writing, and math skills as peers in most other states. Science is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, which treat science as something students do at a lab bench or in the field rather than something they read about in a textbook. Social studies works from a 2014 state framework covering history, geography, economics, and civics.
How students are measured
The main test is VTCAP, given each spring. Students in grades 3 through 9 sit for the reading and math sections, and students in grades 5, 8, and 11 add a science section tied to the NGSS standards. Vermont also participates in NAEP, the federal sample-based test given every other winter in grades 4, 8, and 12, which is used for state-by-state comparisons rather than for grading individual schools.
Frameworks adopted, by subject
The standards documents the state writes against in each subject.
Subject Framework Adopted Source
Mathematics
Common Core State Standards
2010View
English Language Arts
Common Core State Standards
2010View
Science
Common Core State Standards
2013View
Social Studies
Common Core State Standards
2014View
Assessments
The tests students take across K-12, grouped by purpose.

Other

Tests that do not fit the buckets above.

State Summative

VTCAP: ELA/Literacy (Grades 3-9)

Vermont's spring summative test in reading and writing for grades 3 through 9, aligned to Vermont's Common Core-based ELA standards.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

VTCAP: Mathematics (Grades 3-9)

Vermont's spring summative math test for grades 3 through 9, aligned to Vermont's Common Core-based math standards.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

VTCAP: Science (Grade 5)

Science assessment in grade 5, aligned to Vermont's NGSS-based science standards.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

VTCAP: Science (Grade 8)

Science assessment in grade 8, aligned to Vermont's NGSS-based science standards.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

VTCAP: Science (Grade 11)

Science assessment in grade 11, aligned to Vermont's NGSS-based science standards.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
National Monitoring

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

Federally administered sample-based assessment in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. NAEP results inform state-by-state comparisons rather than individual student or school accountability.

When given:
biennial in winter
Frequency:
every two years
Official source
Browse by grade and subject
Pick a cell to see exactly what students learn that year.
Subjects covered
4
Grade levels
13
Standards on file
1,015
Assessments tracked
6
Most recent adoption
2014
Common questions
  • Does Vermont use the Common Core?

    Yes. Vermont adopted the Common Core for reading, writing, and math in 2010, and the spring state tests are built on those standards. Science follows the Next Generation Science Standards, adopted in 2013.

  • What is the spring state test?

    It is called VTCAP. Students in grades 3 through 9 take it in reading, writing, and math every spring. Students also take a science section in grades 5, 8, and 11.

  • Which subjects have official state standards?

    Four subjects have formal standards: English language arts, math, science, and social studies. The first three are tested by the state. Social studies has standards but no state summative test.

  • How often do the standards change?

    Not often. The current reading, writing, and math standards date to 2010, science to 2013, and social studies to 2014. Most updates happen at the assessment level rather than through full rewrites of the standards.

  • What is NAEP, and does it affect a student's grade?

    NAEP is a federal sample test given to some students in grades 4, 8, and 12 every other winter. It is used to compare states to one another. It does not affect individual report cards or school ratings.

Sources
Every page link goes back to the state's own document.

Frameworks

Assessments