The Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators has been active in educational leadership across Vermont for over 35 years. The organization has supported Special Education Administrators and other special education leaders, and worked closely and collaboratively with Superintendents, Principals, the Agency of Education, family support organizations and many other state organizations throughout the years. We stay abreast of legislative issues at both the state and federal levels. Our collaboration with our national organization, CASE (Council of Administrators of Special Educators a subdivision of the Council for Exceptional Children), continues to broaden our perspective and inform us on the national level. Our goal is to provide leadership, support, collegiality and mentoring to all those who teach and lead in education and special education in Vermont. We are honored to be a part of a state that invests in all of our children for the future of our state. 

New Leader Academy - 2023-2024

The Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators (VCSEA) is pleased to announce the annual New Leader Academy.  The Academy is a year-long professional development program designed to support new and aspiring special education administrators. The Academy uses a cohort model and provides academic and practical instruction in an array of skill and knowledge areas important to success as a special education administrator.  The cohort model ensures that participants have the opportunity to share experiences, expertise and support in a collegial format. 


Hybrid Model

New Leader Academy will be offered in a hybrid format to accommodate both in-person and virtual learning. 


Program Dates

July 19th and 20th  - Full Day (in person) - UVM Davis Center Room TBD

Monthly sessions from 9:00-12:00 (virtual)

Sept 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, Feb 15, March 21, Apr 18

Mid-Year In-Person Session: January 18 - Full Day (in person) - UVM Davis Center Room TBD

Final session, May 16th from 9:00-12:00 (in person) - UVM Davis Center Room TBD


The Academy will be co-facilitated by Carrie Lutz (Colchester Director of Student Support Services) and Jon Berliner (Harwood Unified Union Director of Student Support Services).  Academy instructors and presenters will be Vermont educational leaders with extensive expertise and experience in the specific content areas.  In addition, the VT Agency of Education collaborates with VCSEA to present and co-facilitate a number of Academy topics.


Registration is open to new and aspiring special education administrators (click below to complete registration).  Program enrollment is limited to 20; if space is available, additional registrants will be considered.  The fee for participants is $1000.


Cancellation Policy: VCSEA requires advanced notice for cancellations. Participants who notify us of their withdrawal prior to the start of the July sessions will not be invoiced. Late withdrawals will be invoiced at 50% of the total cost of the Academy. Participants who withdraw after the September session will not receive a refund.


Questions?  Please contact:

Carrie Lutz, carrie.lutz@colchestersd.org

Jon Berliner, jberliner@huusd.org



Please see the following COVID-19 resources:

VCSEA Q&A Document from May 1st Special Education in the Era of COVID-19: FAPE & CASE Management training -  here


VCSEA Member Shared Resources Document for Distance Learning - here

Please add to or share this document.


Vermont Agency of Education Guidance and Resources -  here

Including:  Memo: IDEA Requirements for Educational Placement and Amendments to IEPs in the Context of COVID-19. (released 3/27/20)


Resources from the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) Related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Considerations for Special Education Administrators

May 1, 2020 Webinar #7

May 1, 2020 Webinar PowerPoint

April 24, 2020 Webinar #6

April 24, 2020 Webinar PowerPoint 

Hill Briefing, April 2, 20202

April 17, 2020 Webinar #5

April 17, 2020 Webinar PowerPoint

April 3, 2020 Webinar

April 3, 2020 Webinar PowerPoint

March 27, 2020 Webinar

Click here for Questions and Requests for Flexibility-March 27, 2020

March 20, 2020 Webinar PowerPoint 

Sample Documentation Log

Click here to ask a follow-up questions regarding our March 20 COVID-19 Webinar 

CEC Webinar, March 19, 2020

Resources for Teaching Remotely

March 13, 2020 Webinar 

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 

Resources and guidance in the coming days and months will be will be posted to the department’s COVID-19 page.

View departments’ press release.

View the department’s COVID-19 information and resources page.

View the OSERS Q-and-A on providing services to children with disabilities during coronavirus outbreak.

View department’s ESSA and coronavirus guidance.

View the department’s FERPA and coronavirus Q-&A document.

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center resources -  https://ectacenter.org/topics/disaster/coronavirus.asp

The Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators

2 Prospect Street, Suite #5

Montpelier, VT 05602

www.vcsea.net