New Vermont Members Inducted into the League of Innovative Schools
MONTPELIER – On March 8th, 2012, the Vermont League of Innovative Schools inducted its newest members at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in downtown Montpelier, the Department announced today.
The League of Innovative Schools is comprised of secondary schools from across the state, and is affiliated with the New England Secondary Schools Consortium. The Consortium includes Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont. The goal of the league and the consortium is to promote innovative strategies, to establish a network of best practices that is directly linked to 21st century learning and to promote greater educational equity and opportunities for all students.
The event kicked off with Commissioner Armando Vilaseca’s opening remarks and praise for the tremendous effort of the schools’ work to transform educational practices. Interim Deputy Commissioner John Fischer and Acting Director of the High School and Adult Division Tom Alderman discussed at length with the audience legislative measures that were taking place around the Department of Education’s Flexible Pathways to Graduation initiative.
League schools will serve as models for local education agencies around the state shaping the future of Vermont public education.
Patrick Burke, Principal of South Burlington High School, had the honor of inducting the new league members. Joining the league on Thursday evening was Brattleboro Union High School, U-32 Junior and Senior High School, Burlington High School and Rochester High School. Each school was asked to speak briefly on their current initiatives that featured some very exciting opportunities for students at their schools, such as, college dual enrollment, virtual online courses, community based learning and customized learning plans for all students. Afterwards, schools had the chance to engage in roundtable discussions that focused on key issues currently facing schools and how each school is implementing strategies to overcome those difficulties.
Earlier members of the League are Williamstown Middle/High School, Cabot School, South Burlington High School, Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans, Essex Union High School, and Montpelier High School.
For more information, please contact Tom Alderman at tom.alderman@state.vt.us or visit to the League of Innovative Schools website: www.lis.newenglandssc.org.