<p>I think Vermont goes against the trends you guys seem to have in your states (other than JMMom from Maine). Like her state, we have standards or benchmarks for each grade. There is very little teaching to any tests that I know of. There are some standardized tests at certain grade levels but I never noticed any teaching to any tests. Some of these tests are meant to evaluate how a school is doing, not necessarily each kid. What is VERY big in Vermont are portfolios. Every kid in the state must have writing and math portfolios at certain grade levels that are graded by evaluators on a state level. The math portfolios involve problem solving and the writing portfolios must have certain pieces in them and then there is various criteria for grading both these portfolios. </p>
<p>So, there are standards to be met in Vermont but it is not all through testing. I don't think teaching is geared toward tests here. Thankfully. </p>
<p>Susan</p>