Adapting the Text

Before the close of the short and productive life of the initial Curriculum Subcommittee, members were asked to list the individuals and projects that would be the best resources to review each chapter of the text. The Advisory Group also made its recommendations. Reviewers were contacted individually in writing and by phone. They were asked to review the chapters and to add relevant Vermont statutes, best practices, or supplementary materials. If they agreed to do this, another letter followed with more details that included a deadline for the revisions and materials. Two weeks before the deadline, the development coordinator called all reviewers to check on the status of their work. Once their comments were received, they were edited into the text by VS2000 staff. Because the VVAA was offered in sections occurring in May, October, and February, the lengthy text revisions could be completed by section as well.

A VVAA trainer who teaches at Vermont Law School researched parts of the text with assistance from students from South Royalton Legal Clinic. Attorneys who delivered the first segment of the pilot academy also created an Ethics Booklet as supplemental course material. The updating of the VVAA text is ongoing as laws and practice change within the state.