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PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
STUDENT SUPPORT:
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM (ESS)
(Updated 6/10/10)

   
OVERVIEW
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Within each school district’s comprehensive system of educational services, Title 16 of the Vermont Statutes requires each public school to develop and maintain an educational support system (ESS) for children who require additional assistance in order to succeed in the general education environment. Support includes prevention, intervention, and pre-school services. The educational support system is required to include an educational support team (EST) and a range of support and remedial services, including instructional and behavioral interventions and accommodations. Act 117 requires each school board to assign responsibility for developing and maintaining the ESS to the superintendent or principal. It also requires each superintendent to annually report on the status of the ESS in their schools including how funds, such as Medicaid, are used to support the ESS.

View information related to:

   
LINKS TO CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION (Updated 6/10/10)
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FY 2010-2011 BEST/Act 230 Grant Application (Updated 6/10/10)
Act 230 (reauthorized as Act 157) requires that every local school district have an educational support system for children who require additional assistance in order to succeed in the general education environment. Based on the continued successes of the Vermont Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (VTPBiS) effort, the commissioner has designated VTPBiS as the priority area for use of these funds. All BEST/Act 230 grant applications must be submitted by the supervisory union/school district as one application for schools with in the union/district and sent electronically with an electronic signature or an email directly from the superintendent of schools. NOTE: Applications must be submitted and approved before funds are expended. Applications may be submitted immediately but no later than September 15, 2010.

Download the 2010-2011 BEST/Act 230 grant application and related reference documents using the links below:

Vermont Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBS)
Vermont has developed a state-wide system of training and support for implementing Positive Behavior Support (PBS) in schools. This system has been in existence since 2007 and continues to develop in response to the growing needs of implementing schools. Use this link to view general information about PBS, documents pertinent to the state-wide implementation efforts, and a list of participating schools and related training sessions.

Accommodations & Instructional Strategies That Can Help StudentsClicking this link will open a PDF document. Adobe Reader is required. To download a FREE version of Adobe Reader, click on the yellow Get Acrobat Reader icon toward the bottom of page.
This document provides a listing of possible teaching accommodations that may benefit some students who may be having difficulty being successful in school. This list should only be used after considerable thought about the strengths and challenges of an individual student. Users are encouraged to develop their own accommodations beyond this list of suggestions.

English Language Learners in Vermont: Distinguishing Language Difference from Disability - A Resource GuideClicking this link will open a PDF document. Adobe Reader is required. To download a FREE version of Adobe Reader, click on the yellow Get Acrobat Reader icon toward the bottom of page.
Prepared by a broad coalition of interested groups and individuals, this document is intended to supplement the department's 1994 publication, Serving Students Learning English as a Second Language: A Guide for Vermont Educators, that addressed the provision of basic educational services to English Language Learners (ELLs). This new resource guide intends to improve services for ELLs by offering a wide range of information, analysis and resources designed to address significant issues that arise when educators and families realize that a student may need, in addition to ELL services, special education services.

Principal's Fact Sheet for the ESSClicking this link will open a PDF document. Adobe Reader is required. To download a FREE version of Adobe Reader, click on the yellow Get Acrobat Reader icon toward the bottom of page.  
This document outlines the requirements of school principals related to their school's educational support system and educational support team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Education Support System (ESS)
View general answers to questions about ESS, including information about requirements and responsibilities under ESS, resources and funding, and linkages to other initiatives (e.g., NCLBA, Act 230, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Education Support Team (EST)
View information related to responsibilities and functions of ESTs, EST plans, and linkages with parents and special education.

EST Goals and RequirementsClicking this link will open a PDF document. Adobe Reader is required. To download a FREE version of Adobe Reader, click on the yellow Get Acrobat Reader icon toward the bottom of page.  
This document provides a brief history of ESTs and the goals, requirements and characteristics of successful teams.

   
CONTACT INFORMATION
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Bruce Smith, ESS Consultant
(802) 828-5829 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
bruce.smith@state.vt.us

Josh Souliere, ESS Consultant
(802) 828-0552 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
josh.souliere@state.vt.us

   
   

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Student Support:

Education Support System (ESS) | Federal Compliance Monitoring
Interagency Coordination | Special Education

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