Declining population and falling student enrollment are placing increasing strain on Vermont’s education system, contributing to a growing tax burden and uneven access to educational opportunities across the state.
We must expand education freedom in Vermont to empower families with more meaningful choices in how their children are educated. In a state defined by declining enrollment, rising costs, and a challenging rural geography, a more flexible education system is essential to meeting the diverse needs of students across different communities. Policies allowing open enrollment or expanded school choice would help ensure that parents have greater ability to select schools that best fit their child’s needs.
Expanding education freedom would also introduce competition – encouraging schools to innovate, improve performance, and respond more directly to families – leading to an adaptive education system that is more sustainable for Vermont families, students, and taxpayers.
