State Education Resource Center

SERC is providing training and support for the State of Vermont under a grant from the Agency of Education. The goal of the grant is to build the state's capacity to facilitate the Educational (Ed) Benefit process and to improve the educational outcomes for students with disabilities. SERC consultant Nicole Hendry wrote and landed the grant for SERC. The Ed Benefit Process helps educators assess whether an IEP provides the student with adequate educational benefit. During the summer, Hendry provided training on the Ed Benefit process for Vermont Agency of Education staff, other state agencies, and other education personnel. Participants undergoing the training then train others on the process. SERC returns to Vermont for site visits between December and May of the 2017-2018 school year. Hendry, along with SERC colleagues Stephen Proffitt and Missy Wrigley, will together visit 10 of Vermont's supervisory unions (school districts) and co-facilitate the on-site training alongside the new Vermont trainers. The districts will participate in the Ed Benefit process for three students' IEPs and ultimately establish Ed Benefit practices for other IEP development.