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Central Vermont provides the kinds of quality schools that
help the state rank among the nation's best in several educational
categories. Vermont ranks 12th in the nation in high school graduation
rate, 15th in the percent of the adult population that has at
least a high school diploma, and sixth in the nation in the percentage
of adults with at least four years of college. Nearly 60 percent
of Central Vermont graduates continue their education after high
school. The region's figure is one percentage better than the
statewide figure.
Regional Scholastic Aptitude Test scores are considerably better
than the state average. Math scores are on a par with the nation.
The region's verbal scores, however, are a dozen points higher
than the Vermont average, and the state average is 10 points above
the national average. In the "information age," the
abilities to read with good comprehension and to express ideas
clearly in writing are essential. Interpersonal communication
is critical in the service sector p; the nation's most rapidly
growing.
In some ways, Central Vermont's small school structure reduces
opportunities to exercise these interpersonal skills. In small
schools, students tend to have the same peers in class year after
year. In larger schools, students are more often required to meet
new people and make new friends.
As a result, local schools must work harder to focus on classroom
instruction in communication.
Fortunately, small schools and high teacher to student ratios
allow teachers to recognize and provide the specialized attention
students may need in these areas.
On balance, it is apparent that Central Vermont's schools are
ahead of schools elsewhere.
Local schools have recently made tremendous strides in exposing
students to the adult world outside the classroom.
Through a variety of business- education partnerships, schools
have increased the opportunities for students to visit employers
and shadow employees. Business people are visiting classrooms
and creating student internships.
These experiences not only expose students to the work environment,
but they also create a better understanding of how academic materials
will be applied after graduation. Students can discuss the levels
of education they'll need to be competitive for a variety of future
career options.
Each of these exercises has a different academic or motivational
component, and the combination of experiences is providing a stronger
educational environment for area students.
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