Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education has released the preliminary 2024-2025 Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP) statewide results. The assessments in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics are administered annually to students in grades 3-9 and assess students’ mastery of the Common Core State Standards. The science assessment is administered to students in grades 5, 8, and 11 and assesses students’ mastery of the Next Generation Science Standards.
Overall, statewide proficiency rates across all subjects in 2024-2025 remained largely consistent with VTCAP performance in 2023-2024. Most grade-level proficiency rates either remained identical to 2023-2024 or shifted by a percentage point or less, with the exception of ELA proficiency rates among 4th and 5th graders, which increased by 7 and 5 percentage points, respectively.
ELA proficiency rates ranged from 46% to 61% across grades. In math, there was a notable decrease of 3 percentage points among 3rd graders. Overall, math proficiency rates remained lower than ELA, ranging from 33% to 48% across grades. In science, proficiency rates remained steady, ranging from 41% to 45% across grades.
There continues to be significant achievement gaps between students from historically marginalized backgrounds and their peers. In ELA, the average difference in proficiency rates between the two groups was 32%, although these gaps decreased slightly from 2023-2024. In mathematics and science, the average difference in proficiency rates was 31% and 30%, respectively, both of which remained unchanged from 2023-2024.
The results are preliminary 2024-2025 statewide results. Final statewide results will be released later this fall and are not expected to differ substantially from the results here. School and district level results will also be made public later this fall once student information can be validated. School and district staff have access to their results for use in instructional evaluation and planning. Similarly, individual student results have been shared with families and caregivers.
“The VTCAP results underscore persistent achievement gaps and the need to better support all learners," said Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. "These results are consistent with recent performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress and key findings from the Agency’s September report on Special Education, which identified underlying systemic quality issues in general education settings. However, we are encouraged by the improvement among 4th and 5th graders in English Language Arts and are eager to work with educators to build upon that progress. Moving forward, our focus is to scale effective instructional practices and support improvement across all grades and subjects as we collectively develop a clear, statewide vision and plan for elevating academic outcomes.”
For full preliminary 2024-2025 statewide results, see the 2024-2025 Statewide Assessment Results Fact Sheet. For more information about recent performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), see the Vermont State Profile on the Nation’s Report Card website and read the Agency of Education’s response to a recent Boston Globe story on New England schools. For key findings about special education and the nexus with underlying challenges in the general education system in Vermont, read the Agency’s recent Special Education Report.
About the Vermont Agency of Education
The Agency of Education implements state and federal laws, policies, and regulations to ensure all Vermont learners have equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. The Agency accomplishes this mission through the provision of its leadership, support, and oversight of Vermont’s public education system.
Connect with the Vermont Agency of Education education.vermont.gov.
10.16.2025. Montpelier, VT- Vermont Agency of Education
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