Rebecca Holcombe

The daughter of United Nations employees, Holcombe grew up in Fiji, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University, Master of Business Administration from Simmons University, and Doctorate in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She received certification as a classroom teacher through the Upper Valley Educators Institute, and completed coursework for her public school administrator certification at Lyndon State College.{{Cite web|title=Former Ed Secretary Rebecca Holcombe to Run for Governor of Vermont {{!}} Rebecca For Vermont|url=https://www.rebeccaholcombe.com/2019/07/16/former-ed-secretary-rebecca-holcombe-to-run-for-governor-of-vermont/|access-date=2020-08-14|language=en}}

Holcombe worked as a teacher, principal, and school district leader in the Upper Valley.{{cite news |last1=Heintz |first1=Paul |title=Former Ed Secretary Rebecca Holcombe to Run for Governor of Vermont |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2019/07/16/former-ed-secretary-rebecca-holcombe-to-run-for-governor-of-vermont |accessdate=2 November 2020 |publisher=Da Capo Publishing |date=19 July 2019}}

She was the director of Dartmouth's Teacher Education program (2011–2014).{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2019/09/q-a-with-vermont-gubernatorial-candidate-rebecca-holcombe|title=Q&A with Vermont gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Holcombe|website=The Dartmouth|access-date=March 27, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/government/2017/02/13/scott-re-appoints-holcombe-education-secretary/97874596/|title=Scott re-appoints Holcombe as education secretary|website=Burlington Free Press|language=en|access-date=March 27, 2020}}

Governor Peter Shumlin (D) appointed Holcombe Secretary of Education in the fall of 2013, replacing interim commissioner Armando Vilaseca. Shumlin cited education philosophy similarities as the reason he appointed Holcombe, while Holcombe cited policy similarities in their shared support of an extended school year, support for early childhood education, and support for Personalized Learning Plans.{{Cite web|url=https://vtdigger.org/2013/09/19/vermont-n-h-educator-rebecca-holcombe-named-secretary-of-education/|title=Vermont-N.H. educator Rebecca Holcombe named Secretary of Education|first1=Alicia|last1=Freese|date=September 19, 2013|website=VTDigger|language=en-US|access-date=March 27, 2020}}

Holcombe’s tenure coincided with a period of significant legislative change and new demands on Vermont’s Education System. In 2013, the Vermont General Assembly passed legislation relating to flexible pathways,{{cite web |title=No. 77. An act relating to encouraging flexible pathways to secondary school completion. |url=http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2014/Acts/ACT077.pdf |website=Vermont Legislature |publisher=State of Vermont |accessdate=2 November 2020}} universal subsidies for Pre-K,{{cite web |title=No. 166. An act relating to providing access to publicly funded prekindergarten education. |url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2014/Docs/ACTS/ACT166/ACT166%20As%20Enacted.pdf |website=Vermont State Legislature |publisher=State of Vermont |accessdate=2 November 2020}} and approved new Education Quality Standards.{{cite web |title=Vermont State Board of Education Manual of Rules and Practices |url=https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-state-board-rules-series-2000.pdf |website=Vermont State Board of Education |publisher=State of Vermont |accessdate=2 November 2020}} That same year, Vermont was ranked 4th globally in science, and 7th in math compared to 49 states and 47 countries.{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Meredith |title=Vermont Eighth Graders Rank High Globally in Math, Science |url=https://learn.uvm.edu/blog/blog-education/vermont-eighth-graders-rank-high-globally-in-math-science |accessdate=2 November 2020 |publisher=The University of Vermont Continuing and Distance Education |date=4 November 2013}} Holcombe used this opportunity to demonstrate the failure of the NCLB Act.{{cite news |last1=Valdmanis |first1=Richard |title=Vermont to Washington: Your education policy is broken |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-education-vermont/vermont-to-washington-your-education-policy-is-broken-idUSKBN0H41PW20140909 |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |date=9 September 2013}} Her response received national attention, leading education activist and historian Diane Ravitch to call her a “hero” of American Education.{{cite web |last1=Ravich |first1=Diane |title=Rebecca Holcombe, a Hero of American Education |url=https://dianeravitch.net/2014/08/07/rebecca-holcombe-a-hero-of-american-education/ |website=Diane Ravitch's blog |date=August 7, 2014 |accessdate=2 November 2020}}

After Phil Scott (R) was sworn in as governor, he chose Holcombe as his secretary of education and reappointed her to the position. Holcombe was Scott's first Cabinet appointment upon taking office.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reformer.com/stories/education-secretary-to-step-down,535623|title=Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe to step down April 1|last1=Carson|first1=Derek|last2=Banner|first2=Bennington|website=The Brattleboro Reformer|language=en|access-date=April 6, 2020}} In 2015, the Vermont General Assembly passed Act 46, an Act designed to unify very small districts to reduce administrative overhead, create more sustainable school districts, and improve student equity and outcomes. Holcombe was given responsibility for implementing this act.{{cite news |last1=Danitz Pache |first1=Tiffany |title=Decoding Act 46: What it means, how it works |url=https://vtdigger.org/2015/11/10/decoding-act-46-what-it-means-how-it-works/ |accessdate=2 November 2020 |agency=VT Digger |publisher=Vermont Digger |date=10 November 2015}} By the time Holcombe stepped down, the Agency of Education had supported the voluntary consolidation of 157 school districts into 39 unified school districts.{{cite web |title=ACT 46: STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S FINAL REPORT OF DECISIONS AND ORDER |url=https://education.vermont.gov/vermont-schools/school-governance/act-46-state-board-final-plan |website=Vermont Agency of Education |publisher=State of Vermont |accessdate=2 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/secretary-of-education-resigns-amid-act-46-consolidations/|title=Secretary of Education resigns amid Act 46 consolidations|date=March 31, 2018|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=April 6, 2020}} Holcombe and the Vermont Agency of Education received national recognition for their innovative work on School Quality Reviews and equity through her extensive collaboration with school districts and over 2,000 members of the public.{{cite web |last1=Rothman |first1=Robert |title=SCHOOL QUALITY REVIEWS: PROMOTING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DEEPER LEARNING |url=https://jfforg-prod-prime.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/SchoolQualityReview_030118.pdf |website=Jobs For the Future |publisher=Students at the Center |accessdate=2 November 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Alyson |title=School Inspections Offer a Diagnostic Look at Quality |url=https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/09/28/school-inspections-offer-a-diagnostic-look-at.html |accessdate=2 November 2020 |agency=Education Week |publisher=Editorial Projects in Education |date=27 September 2016}} Holcombe also led the development of policy supporting transgender students {{Cite web|url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/vermont-schools-implement-best-practices-for-transgender-equity/Content?oid=3720892|title = Vermont Schools Implement 'Best Practices' for Transgender Equity}} and spoke against bigotry in the community.{{cite web |last1=Holcombe |first1=Rebecca |title=Memorandum to Superintendents, Principals, Independent School Headmasters, All Educators |url=https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-memo-holcombe-responding-to-bigotry.pdf |website=Vermont Agency of Education |publisher=State of Vermont |accessdate=2 November 2020}}

On March 27, 2018, Scott announced Holcombe's resignation from her role as Vermont Secretary of Education, effective April 1, 2018.{{cite news |last1=Danitz Pache |first1=Tiffany |title=UPDATED: Holcombe abruptly resigns as education secretary |url=https://vtdigger.org/2018/03/27/holcombe-step-education-agency-april-1/ |accessdate=2 November 2020 |agency=Vermont Digger |publisher=Vermont Digger |date=27 March 2018}} Holcombe did not give a specific reason for her resignation. Phil Scott cited "personal reasons" for Holcombe's resignation, not a difference in policy, while Krista Huling, chair of the State Board of Education cited "differences in opinion about major issues."{{cite news |last1=Freese |first1=Alicia |title=Principled Stand? Why Vermont's Former Ed Chief Split With Scott |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/principled-stand-why-holcombe-split-with-scott/Content?oid=14914688 |accessdate=2 November 2020 |agency=Seven Days |publisher=Seven Days |date=18 April 2018}} Several school boards were reportedly concerned with how Holcombe's resignation would affect the timeline of the implementation of Act 46 and the subsequent school mergers. After Holcombe's resignation, some school boards reportedly asked the state to slow down work on the implementation of Act 46. Deputy Secretary Heather Bouchey was appointed as interim Education Secretary on April 3, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Scott-names-interim-Vt-education-secretary-478695813.html|title=Scott names interim Vt. education secretary|last=WCAX|website=www.wcax.com|date=April 3, 2018 |language=english|access-date=April 6, 2020}} After stepping down, Holcombe wrote several pieces critical of Phil Scott's education policy, suggesting policy reasons for her resignation.{{cite news |last1=Holcombe |first1=Rebecca |title=Rebecca Holcombe: Scott's veto is rebuke to voters |url=https://vtdigger.org/2018/05/29/rebecca-holcombe-scotts-veto-is-rebuke-to-voters/ |accessdate=2 November 2020 |agency=VT Digger |publisher=Vermont Digger |date=29 May 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Holcombe |first1=Rebecca |title=My Turn: Vermont needs new education playbook |url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/10/25/vermont-education-funding-property-taxes-phil-scott-rebecca-holcombe/1748798002/ |accessdate=2 November 2020 |agency=Burlington Free Press |publisher=Burlington Free Press |date=25 October 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Holcombe |first1=Rebecca |title=Rebecca Holcombe: Is Scott using funny numbers to discredit public schools? |url=https://www.reformer.com/opinion/rebecca-holcombe-is-scott-using-funny-numbers-to-discredit-public-schools/article_8a8e2eb4-6b59-5569-a932-c6f394947832.html |accessdate=2 November 2020 |agency=Brattleboro Reformer |publisher=Brattleboro Reformer |date=17 January 2019}}

{{main|2020 Vermont gubernatorial election#Democratic primary}}

On June 14, VTDigger reported that Holcombe was exploring a run for governor. Holcombe was quoted as saying, “I do believe the state needs a new direction, so I am giving serious consideration to a run”.{{Cite web|url=https://vtdigger.org/2019/06/14/former-education-secretary-holcombe-exploring-run-governor-2020/|title=Former education secretary Holcombe exploring a run for governor in 2020|first1=Lola|last1=Duffort|first2=Colin|last2=Meyn|date=June 14, 2019|website=VTDigger|language=en-US|access-date=March 28, 2020}} On July 16, 2019, Holcombe announced her intention to run for Governor of Vermont in the 2020 election. Holcombe explained she was running because she, "joined Gov. Scott’s administration because I took him at his word that he was serious about working to make Vermont more affordable and more equitable [...] I resigned when I realized that was just talk.”{{Cite web|last=Duffort|first=Lola|date=July 16, 2019|title=Holcombe-announces-run-for-governor|url=https://www.vnews.com/Holcombe-announces-run-for-governor-27041777|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=March 28, 2020|website=Valley News}} The other two candidates in the Democratic Party primary were Progressive/Democrat Lt. Governor David Zuckerman and Bennington attorney Patrick Winburn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Bennington-lawyer-joins-Vermont-gubernatorial-race-568498781.html|title=Bennington lawyer joins Vermont gubernatorial race|last=Cutler|first=Calvin|website=www.wcax.com|date=March 4, 2020 |language=english|access-date=March 28, 2020}} Due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, she restricted herself to virtual campaigning.{{cite news |last1=Hanson |first1=Alex |title=Running for governor from isolation, Norwich's Holcombe hopes victory begins at home |url=https://www.vnews.com/Norwich-resident-Rebecca-Holcombe-talks-about-principles-from-a-proper-distance-33906117 |accessdate=2 November 2020 |agency=Valley News |publisher=Valley News |date=18 April 2020}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title = Democratic primary results{{cite web |title=OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE CANVASSING COMMITTEE UNITED STATES AND VERMONT STATEWIDE OFFICES |url=https://sos.vermont.gov/media/23dat5ka/2020-aug-primary-results-final.pdf |website=Vermont Official Election Results |publisher=Vermont Secretary of State |accessdate=3 November 2020}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|candidate = David Zuckerman

|party = Vermont Democratic Party

|votes =48,150

|percentage =44.03%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|candidate = Rebecca Holcombe

|party = Vermont Democratic Party

|votes =37,599

|percentage =34.38%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|candidate = Patrick Winburn

|party = Vermont Democratic Party

|votes =7,662

|percentage =7.01%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|candidate = Ralph Corbo

|party = Vermont Democratic Party

|votes =1,288

|percentage =1.18%

}}{{Election box total no change

|votes =109,365

|percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box end}}

Holcombe lives in Norwich, Vermont.

Holcombe served on the board of trustees for the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital.{{cite web |title=APD Appoints Four New Trustees to the Hospital Board |url=https://www.alicepeckday.org/about/news/apd_appoints_four_new_trustees_to_the_hospital_board |website=Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital |accessdate=2 November 2020}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://rebeccaholcombe.com Rebecca Holcombe (D) For Governor]
• [https://www.vtdemocrats.org/ Vermont Democratic Party]
• [https://education.vermont.gov/ Vermont Department of Education]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Holcombe, Rebecca}}

Category:1966 births

Category:Living people

Category:Simmons University alumni

Category:Brown University alumni

Category:Harvard Graduate School of Education alumni

Category:Candidates in the 2020 United States elections

Category:Vermont Democrats