There are some big changes coming to the state's education community. Lawmakers this session approved elevating the Department of Education to a full agency, which means it will be led by a secretary who will be in the governor's cabinet. Education commissioner Armando Vilaseca says the change will help highlight education issues.

Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca discusses the department's change to a state agency, and Senator Bernie Sanders looks at the future of rural post offices.

Last year's results show that nearly 75 percent of Vermont students are proficient in reading, and nearly 50 percent or more are proficient in writing. But only 36 percent of 11th graders scored at the proficient level in math.

As the new school year begins in many parts of Vermont, Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca questions why the state continues to maintain "an outdated school calendar."

Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca discusses the top school issues, VPR's John Dillon provides the latest on wind power developments and we listen back to the voices in the news this week.

Residents in five Vermont towns will go to the polls Tuesday to vote on a plan that would merge seven school districts, forming a single, regional district with one board. Supporters say it will cut costs and improve public education. Opponents say it will strip them of any authority local communities still have over their schools.

Vermont Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca worries petitions in Addison and Vergennes to stop a school merger will stall other districts considering school board consolidations.

Even with Governor-elect Peter Shumlin's decision to use $19 million in federal stimulus for Vermont schools, districts will still face difficult funding choices next year. 

Vermont school districts which fell short of state budget goals earned a temporary reprieve this week.  But officials warn they'll still have to trim expenses in future budgets.

These were some of the voices in this week's news

These were some of the voices in the news this week.

Commissioner Armando Vilaseca says Vermont is a long shot to win $38 million in federal school improvement grants. His comments came as the state teacher's union complained that its members were unfairly cut out of the grant application process.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca about what recent NECAP math test results mean for schools, parents and for the academic achievement of the students.

Vermont's education commissioner says statewide test results show improved teaching is paying off for Vermont students but more work needs to be done to achieve better outcomes in all schools.

The State Board of Education voted on Tuesday to support Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca's campaign to sharply reduce the number of school districts in Vermont.

We hear from Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca and Finance Commissioner James Reardon about their school budget cutting suggestions, and how they would change the school funding system.  Also, a new report looks at how charities fundraise.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Vermont's education commissioner, former Rutland superintendent and a member of the organization Vermonters for Better Education about the economics of operating schools.

For school districts that don't have their own high school, families choose which school their kids attend. But as school boards look for ways to save money, limiting school choice might be an answer.