Rep. Kate McCann seeks to require approved independent schools receiving public tuition to meet Education Quality Standards

Representative Kate McCann presented an amendment to H.955 that would make approved independent schools that are eligible to receive public tuition subject to Vermont's Education Quality Standards (EQS).

Legislative Council summarized the draft: the amendment substitutes "approved independent school that is eligible to receive public tuition" into references to public schools in the EQS statute (sec.165) and amends section 828 to add criteria for independent schools' eligibility for public tuition; it also directs the State Board of Education to update the Rule 2000 series (EQS) by March 31, 2027 to require those schools meet EQS.

McCann said the change is about accountability for public dollars: "If public dollars are funding a school, those expectations should apply." She emphasized the amendment would not eliminate independent schools but would require schools receiving taxpayer funds to meet baseline standards of curriculum, licensing and equity outlined in EQS.

Members asked a range of procedural and substantive questions. Legislative Council and members clarified that the amendment does not itself change existing tuition statutes but could interact with the foundation formula under Act 73 and would have operational implications: requiring administrators and teachers to be licensed, updating school rules to match EQS, and creating transitions that could be multi-year and require rulemaking and potentially resources. Members noted there was no fiscal note available during the committee discussion.

Debate reflected both support for consistent standards for publicly funded schools and concern about disruption and timing. Some members said many independent schools already meet substantial elements of oversight (Rule 2200 series), while others warned about the scale of transition for licensing and the potential to affect local options for small rural communities.

The committee conducted a nonbinding straw poll on the McCann amendment; the chair reported a small majority found it unfavorable in the straw poll (roughly seven hands unfriendly, three favorable), and members reiterated that the tally was advisory.

Next steps: the amendment will remain part of H.955's floor materials for consideration; sponsors and interested parties will likely provide additional testimony and analysis (including fiscal and transition timelines) as the bill proceeds through the legislative process.