This week, lawmakers are on a break with their winter recess. Next week, the first week of March, the legislature resumes with a jam-packed schedule full of hearings and executive sessions for a handful of education bills. Starting Monday, March 4, the House Education Committee will hold hearings and executive sessions for bills related to school voucher accountability, part-time teachers, and qualifications for the education commissioner.
Also this week: House Judiciary will be voting on a recommendation for a bill that would allow the commissioner of the NHED to issue subpoenas. Earlier in February, 320 people testified in opposition to this bill, while 13 people submitted testimony in support. HB 1353 is scheduled for executive session Wednesday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m. in the House Judiciary Committee.
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Hearings scheduled for education commissioner qualifications, teacher shortage, and school voucher accountability bills
One of the bills scheduled for a hearing on Monday, March 4, 2024, in the House Education Committee is HB 1084, which would require that the education commissioner hold an advanced degree, be a certified teacher or administrator, and have at least five years combined experience as an administrator or teacher in a public school. The hearing for HB 1084 is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
In response to the report of the Committee to Study New Hampshire Teacher Shortages and Recruitment Incentives, committee member Rep Mel Myler (D-Contoocook) is sponsoring HB 1608, which would create an induction program for new teachers. The report provided recommendations on how to address the state’s teacher shortage, one of the recommendations being an investment in “robust teacher mentoring programs and opportunities for professional learning.” As written, HB 1608 would require all school districts to provide an induction program for new teachers in their first 3 years of practice. The hearing for HB 1608 is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.
There are also two school voucher bills scheduled for hearings that deal with program accountability. HB 1592 prohibits the use of education freedom account funds at religious schools or for religious education or training and repeals provisions relating to the independence of and legal proceedings concerning education freedom account providers. Meanwhile, HB 1610 requires all students in the Education Freedom Account program to participate in the statewide standardized assessment.
Since its inception in 2021, New Hampshire’s school voucher program has raised concerns about its lack of transparency and accountability and has been criticized for siphoning millions of dollars from public schools.
Full list of Monday, March 4 House Education scheduled hearings:
- 9:00 AM HB 1608 relative to providing an induction program for new teachers.
- 9:45 AM HB 1605 relative to alternative education programs for granting credit leading to graduation.
- 10:30 AM HB 1592 relative to the use of education freedom account funds in religious schools.
- 11:00 AM HB 1084 relative to qualifications for the commissioner of education.
- 12:30 PM HB 1610 relative to standardized assessment data for participants in education freedom accounts.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024, is another busy day in House Education. HB 1654 would require the state board of education to annually review education freedom account service providers for continued compliance with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws. The hearing for HB 1654 is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
Full list of Tuesday, March 5 House Education scheduled hearings:
- 9:00 AM HB 1015 relative to requirements for literacy skill development in elementary grades.
- 10:00 AM HB 1654 relative to review of education freedom account service providers.
- 11:00 AM HB 1650 relative to the approval of alternative programs for granting credit leading to graduation.
- 1:00 PM HB 1093 prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools.
- 1:45 PM HR 30 urging a robust climate education in schools including current environmental and economic information.
The House Education Committee will hold public hearings on these bills on Monday, March 4, and Tuesday, March 5. The online portal to submit testimony will be open until 11:59 p.m. on the day of the scheduled hearing, which can be found here.
House Education Committee to vote on recommendation for uncertified part-time teacher bill
A recommendation for HB 1298 is scheduled to be voted on in House Education Wednesday, March 6. This bill would allow individuals to teach in public schools without a credential if they work less than 30 hours, have a criminal background check, and comply with the state’s code of conduct. Earlier this session, the Senate passed its own version of this bill, SB 374.
Research, including Reaching Higher NH’s own study of current and former NH teachers, shows that teacher shortages are driven by low pay, work-related stress, and, increasingly, the politicization of teaching and education. Removing certification requirements will not solve these issues; instead, research suggests that it would likely lower student achievement.
Read more here: Teacher Certification and Student Outcomes: What the Research Says
The executive session for HB 1298 is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, at 9:00 a.m. in the House Education Committee.
NHED subpoena power bill in House Judiciary Committee
The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on a recommendation for HB 1353, allowing the commissioner of the NHED to issue subpoenas.
HB 1353 allows the Commissioner to issue subpoenas for materials “and other items and things” when the commissioner has reason to believe that a violation of the code of conduct has occurred under certain instances. The existing processes and procedures “aim to empower local school districts with shared responsibility, transparency, and clarity when addressing personnel matters,” according to the NH Department of Education.
In submitted online testimony, NHASP Executive Director Bridey Bellemare stated, “In conclusion, while I understand the importance of addressing misconduct within the education system, I believe that the proposed bill raises significant concerns regarding individual rights, due process, and the potential for misuse of power. It is imperative that our state continue to prioritize fairness, transparency, and the protection of individual rights of those who serve within our education system.”
The executive session for HB 1353 is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m. in the House Judiciary Committee.
Upcoming Calendar
Monday, March 4, 2024
House Education, Legislative Office Building, Room 205-207 Hearing starts at 9:00 am
- 9:00 AM HB1608 relative to providing an induction program for new teachers.
- 9:45 AM HB1605 relative to alternative education programs for granting credit leading to graduation.
- 10:30 AM HB1592 relative to the use of education freedom account funds in religious schools.
- 11:00 AM HB1084 relative to qualifications for the commissioner of education.
- 12:30 PM HB1610 relative to standardized assessment data for participants in education freedom accounts.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
House Education, Legislative Office Building, Room 205-207 Hearing starts at 9:00 am
- 9:00 AM HB1015 relative to requirements for literacy skill development in elementary grades.
- 10:00 AM HB1654 relative to review of education freedom account service providers.
- 11:00 AM HB1650 relative to the approval of alternative programs for granting credit leading to graduation.
- 1:00 PM HB1093 prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools.
- 1:45 PM HR30 urging a robust climate education in schools including current environmental and economic information.
Senate Education, Legislative Office Building, Room 101 Regular meeting starts at 9:00 am
- 9:00 AM HB155 (New Title) relative to the higher education commission.
- 9:30 AM HB637 (New Title) relative to the calculation of average daily membership in attendance and average daily membership in residence for certain home educated pupils.
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
House Education, Legislative Office Building, Room 205-207 Executive session starts at 9:30 am
- 9:30 AM HB1084 relative to qualifications for the commissioner of education.
- 9:30 AM HB1093 prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools.
- 9:30 AM HB1205 relative to women’s school sports.
- 9:30 AM HB1298 relative to the definition of part-time teachers.
- 9:30 AM HB1476 relative to charter school memorandums of understanding.
- 9:30 AM HB1592 relative to the use of education freedom account funds in religious schools.
- 9:30 AM HB1605 relative to alternative education programs for granting credit leading to graduation.
- 9:30 AM HB1608 relative to providing an induction program for new teachers.
- 9:30 AM HB1610 relative to standardized assessment data for participants in education freedom accounts.
- 9:30 AM HB1616 relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program.
- 9:30 AM HB1625 relative to school health services.
- 9:30 AM HB1646 relative to chartered public schools.
- 9:30 AM HB1650 relative to the approval of alternative programs for granting credit leading to graduation.
- 9:30 AM HB1654 relative to review of education freedom account service providers.
- 9:30 AM HB1682 relative to the civics test graduation requirement.
- 9:30 AM HB1691 relative to the definition of an adequate public education.
- 9:30 AM HR30 urging a robust climate education in schools including current environmental and economic information.
- 9:30 AM HB1014 relative to the registration of high school students to vote.
- 9:30 AM HB1552 relative to the duties and responsibilities of superintendents of school administrative units.
- 9:30 AM HB1452 relative to credentials for the position of superintendent of schools and school business officer.
- 9:30 AM HB1382 relative to special education support for military-connected students.
Thursday, March 7, 2024
House Session Starting at 10:00 am
Senate Session Starting at 10:00 am
