Legislative Rules Committee Delays Vote on First Half on Public School Minimum Standards
Last week, the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR), evaluated the State Board of Education’s Final Proposal on the first half of the minimum standards for public school approval (also known as the 306 Rules) as to whether they comply with current laws.
After only the first two people testified (with intermittent responses from the NH Department of Education), the Committee unanimously voted to put off any decision making on the first half of the rules until their November meeting when they receive the second half of the rules as well.
As a refresher, Commissioner Edelblut pushed to divide up the minimum standards for public school approval into two halves. The first half has to do with standards around the operations of a school and delivery of instruction, while the second half contains more of the detailed standards around academic programs that are part of how the state defines the components of an adequate education.
Testimony was provided by education champion David Trumble and by Christine Downing, a curriculum coordinator who led efforts to gather educator input on the minimum standards overhaul. Together, they pointed out the concerns about the Commissioner’s proposal on the first half of the rules, namely:
- Removing maximum class-size requirements to allow for bigger classes
- The weakening of requirements around curriculum and program, and
- Generally watering down the delivery of high-quality delivery of education for students
To no avail, the Commissioner attempted to push back on these critiques without addressing them head on. Because the two halves of the rules are inextricably linked, the Committee rightly felt it would be imprudent to act on each part in a vacuum.
The delay means that JLCAR will consider both proposals at their November 21st meeting. Click here to contact urge state legislators to act to protect strong standards for New Hampshire’s public schools!
The second half of the minimum standards overhaul proposal also contains significant issues that raise concerns that NEA-NH and other educators have pointed out, because the program standards outline what a school is required to provide and ultimately to fund.
Click here for a deeper dive into the 306 Rules and JLCAR from our colleagues at Reaching Higher NH.
As school funding lawsuits continue to be fought in the state courts, these proposals call into question what the goal of the Commissioner and State Board is with respect to the state’s obligation to fund an adequate education and why we need to make sure that we elect candidates for Governor, Executive Council and the State Legislature that will strengthen public education, not weaken it like we have seen over the last 8 years. Click here to get the information you need to cast your ballot for pro-public education candidates!
Newly Filed Legislation Tells the Story of the Choice We Have in November
The filing period has closed for House incumbents seeking re-election to file legislation for next year. While we can only see titles at this point, legislation filed by leaders in each party provides a stark contrast of what next year will look like for educators at the State House depending on what happens in November’s elections.
On issues related to public education legislation filed by leaders in the House Democratic caucus include:
- More state aid to school districts for educator retirement costs, which can help raise pay at the local level
- Expanded access to free school meals for hungry students
- Repeal of the unconstitutional “banned concepts” law championed by Frank Edelblut
- Closed loopholes and guardrails around the unaccountable private school voucher scheme
By strong contrast, the legislation filed by leaders in the House Republican caucus includes:
- Universal vouchers program, so that even millionaires can get take public dollars from public schools for their child’s private school education
- Subpoena power for the Commissioner of Education in educator investigations
- A local private school voucher program that would siphon local property tax dollars on top of state money already
- Permitting unlicensed part-time teachers to teach in public schools with little to no standards
- A so-called parental bill of rights that targets educators and students as part of political culture war
As these bill filings illustrate, the stakes are clear. Voting in 2024 is critical for educators and our students. We need leaders who respect educators as professionals and ensure that we have a seat at the table when making education policy decisions that will impact students, public schools, and the education profession. NEA-New Hampshire has evaluated all of the candidates who are running this year; click here to view our recommended candidates for Governor, Congress, Executive Council, State Senate, and the State House of Representatives!
ICYMI: New Laws Taking Effect Now – Make sure you know what changes are coming!
The Legislature may not be in session, but things are still happening. To wrap up this past year we have assembled a list of legislation that was signed into law that directly affects public education, educators, and students.
Please look at the list which is organized by category and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing me at bhawkins@nhnea.org.