Online Schools: Vermont

The second least populous state in the nation, Vermont takes its name from the French les verts monts, or "The Green Mountains," a range that runs north-south throughout most of the state. Vermont played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War during the Battle of Bennington, largely recognized as one of the turning points in the conflict. The anniversary of this battle, fought on August 16, 1777, is celebrated as a national holiday in Vermont. Today, in addition to its government industry, a growing part of Vermont's economy is fueled by the manufacture and sale of artisan foods, crafts, and novelty items such as Cabot Cheese, the Vermont Butter and Cheese Company, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, Lake Champlain chocolates, and microbreweries.

In 2007 Vermont was ranked as the second highest state in high school graduation rates. Perhaps this reason is a factor in Vermont's lack of state-sponsored online schools. However, online schools in Vermont are set to grow significantly with the launch of a new Vermont online course cooperative funded with federal stimulus dollars. The Vermont Virtual Learning Academy (VVLA), which partners with the Florida Virtual School, offers a select number of middle and high school level courses, including core courses in social studies, math, English, science, and a variety of electives. Honors and college preparatory levels are offered, as well as Advanced Placement courses in Calculus, Language and Composition, Environmental Science, Micro and Macroenomics, Statistics, and United State Government. Four courses are available for middle school students including Critical Thinking, Fantasy and Fiction, Imagination, and Pop-Culture and Media.

WVLA reflects Vermont's commitment to teacher preparation and professional development, as a substantial training program for lead teachers is provided through the Community College of Vermont and the Marlboro College Graduate School. These programs provide training in mentoring protocols and strategies that support the lead teachers to train other teachers within their region to become online educators. The school's 98 teachers serve over 2,500 students in Vermont. According to Jeff Renard, Program Coordinator and Online Teacher, plans are well underway to expand courses for elementary and middle school students.

Vermont online schools at the postsecondary level include Norwich University (NU) and Johnston State College (JSU). NU offers ten master's degrees in areas such as Diplomacy, Military History, Business, Civil Engineering, and Nursing, among a few others. There are a limited number of professional certificates available, including Teaching and Learning, and Governmental Operations. Norwich's single online bachelor’s degree completion program is designed to build on the military education and experience of United States Special Operations Forces (SOF) in the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Students may transfer military training and college credits while they work on a degree in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis. Johnston State College, meanwhile, emphasizes online undergraduate degrees, offering programs in Psychology, Elementary Education, Liberal Arts, Business Management, and a self-designed Professional Study.

If success continues in these online schools, Vermont will implement other distance learning programs, such as its singular online Environmental Law degree. In May 2011, Vermont Law School launched the nation's first online master's degree program in environmental law.

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