CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire House Education Committee heard testimony on HB 1206, which mimics the so-called “teacher loyalty” bill rejected in 2022. It is yet another vaguely written law with a potentially harsh punishment intended to chill honest and accurate classroom conversations that will harm student outcomes.
At the time of the hearing, 256 individuals had signed in to oppose HB 1206; 7 individuals signed in to support HB 1206.
Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the hearing:
“HB 1206 is yet another attempt to stifle classroom conversations and intimidate teachers – not for the good of the student, but for purely political gain. This bill is a copycat of a previously rejected “teacher loyalty” bill that would chill honest and accurate curriculum by threatening teachers with the loss of license for running afoul of. This is precisely the type of legislation cited in a recent legislative study committee that is pushing current and prospective educators away from the profession, contributing to our state’s educator shortage crisis.
NEA-New Hampshire urges the House Education Committee to find HB 1206 Inexpedient to Legislate and focus on legislation that will strengthen the educator workforce and fulfill the obligation the state holds to ensure Granite State students have access to a robust and world class public education.”
Background:
HB 1255 relative to teachers’ loyalty
- HB 1255 was filed in 2022 by Representative Lekas, the same prime sponsor of HB 1206. While the title has been amended, this is the same bill with the same political purpose – to chill honest and accurate classroom conversations.
- HB 1255 was voted Inexpedient to Legislate by a voice vote in the House on March 15, 2022.
HB 1206 relative to prohibiting educator indoctrination
- HB 1206 dictates “Educators shall not present unproved theories as fact” and “an educator shall not push or assert, advocate for, or compel students to express belief in support for, any particular theory or ideology.” Where does this leave an educator when discussing scientific, sociological, historical, or even economic theories or ideas in class? How does a teacher discern between classroom debate versus the phrase to “push or assert”?
- What is the standard of an “unproved theory”?
- What does it mean that an educator should encourage “discussion and civil discourse without prejudice to any particular theory or ideology”? Can an emphasis in classroom discussion not be given as to the evils of Nazism?
For reference, the following are a selection of theories:
- Gravity
- Evolution
- Theory of General Relativity
- Big Bang Theory
- Supply and Demand
- Classical Economics
- Keynesian Economics
- Laissez-faire Capitalism
- Globalization
- Chaos Theory aka The Butterfly Effect
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About NEA-New Hampshire
NEA-New Hampshire is the largest union of public employees in the state. Founded in 1854, the New Hampshire State Teachers Association became one of the “founding ten” state education associations that formed the National Education Association in 1857. Known today as NEA-NH, and comprised of more than 17,000 members, our mission to advocate for the children of New Hampshire and public-school employees, and to promote lifelong learning, remains true after more than 165 years. Our members are public school employees in all stages of their careers, including classroom teachers and other certified professionals, staff and instructors at public higher education institutions, students preparing for a teaching career, education support personnel and those retired from the profession.