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What is Competency-Based Learning?
Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee holds regular meeting
Monday, October 21, 2024 | 1 p.m.
Today, the Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee, which oversees the state voucher program, held its regular meeting....
WEBINAR: NH’s Minimum Standards Overhaul: Where Are We Now?
The state's Minimum Standards for Public School Approval, which are the foundational requirements for all public schools to operate in New Hampshire, are being...
FACT SHEET: School Vouchers in New Hampshire
What are school vouchers?
School vouchers are taxpayer-funded accounts that give state funding directly to parents to pay for private and religious school tuition, homeschooling...
FACT SHEET: School Funding in New Hampshire
New Hampshire relies mostly on property taxes to fund its public schools.
New Hampshire relies mostly on property taxes to pay for its public schools....
Reaching Higher NH and the NH School Funding Fairness Project release public education discussion...
Reaching Higher NH and the NH School Funding Fairness Project are thrilled to partner in creating this discussion guide for New Hampshire public education....
School vouchers will cost $28 million next school year as questions and concerns about...
According to a report released by the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED) last month, student enrollment in the school voucher program grew 25%...
Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee holds regular meeting
Monday, September 30, 2024 | 1 p.m.
Today, the Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee, which oversees the state voucher program, held its regular meeting....
Lawmakers vote to delay overhaul of Minimum Standards for Public School Approval
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR) voted to table the first half of the New Hampshire Department...
Panel of lawmakers to review NHED’s proposed minimum standards overhaul on Thursday
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR), a panel of lawmakers charged with reviewing administrative rule proposals from...
State Board of Education to consider controversial PragerU renewal, for-profit digital learning platform, and...
On Monday, September 16, 2024, the New Hampshire State Board of Education will consider requests on several highly consequential -- and controversial -- proposals...
WEBINAR: Education Policy 101
Thursday, August 15, 2023 | 2:00 p.m.
Education Policy 101: Watch a recording of Reaching Higher NH’s webinar for an overview of what's happening in...
Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee holds regular meeting
Thursday, August 22, 2024 | 1 p.m.
Today, the Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee, which oversees the state voucher program, held its regular meeting....
PRESS RELEASE: NHED Approves Minimum Standards Overhaul
Concord, NH -- Today the NH State Board of Education voted to approve the NH Department of Education’s proposed changes to the Minimum Standards...
NHED moves forward with minimum standards overhaul despite concerns; vote scheduled for Wednesday
On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the NH Department of Education (NHED) is expected to put forward their final proposal for one section of the...
WEBINAR: Upcoming Webinar Education Policy 101
Hosted by Reaching Higher NH on Thursday, August 15, 2024, 2 p.m. via Zoom
Join Reaching Higher NH for an overview of what's happening in...
Lawmakers are set to vote on expanding NH’s school voucher program despite bleak state...
On Thursday, New Hampshire lawmakers will decide on whether to expand the state’s school voucher program, which would give parents taxpayer dollars to pay...
Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee holds regular meeting
Monday, June 10, 2024 | 10 a.m.
Today, the Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee, which oversees the state voucher program, held its regular...
Legislative Update: Lawmakers vote to expand school voucher program while rejecting public school funding...
This week, the New Hampshire Senate voted on many of the most consequential bills this session: lawmakers voted to increase the size and cost...
NHED moves to bring AI into classrooms across New Hampshire as part of a...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging topic in education: from grade school to college, teachers, students, parents, and school leaders are thinking about ways...
Granite Staters overwhelmingly oppose NHED’s overhaul of public school standards: “These threaten to eviscerate...
In response to a call by the NH State Board of Education, over 200 Granite Staters submitted written public comment on the proposal to...
Educators push back on NHED’s minimum standards overhaul: Proposal would “deny New Hampshire students...
For the past year and a half, hundreds of educators have met in small group settings around the state to review the New Hampshire...
NOW OPEN: Educator Climate Survey aims to inform decision makers on the education profession
Reaching Higher New Hampshire is inviting teachers, school staff, and administrators to complete the Educator Climate Survey to inform statewide conversations about how New...
PRESS RELEASE: Reaching Higher to Survey Educator Experience
Concord, NH -- Reaching Higher NH, in partnership with Women Educators Leading Learning (WELL), has released a statewide survey for educators and school staff...
PRESS RELEASE: An Initial Legal Review of NHED Minimum Standards Overhaul Finds Multiple Concerns
CONCORD, NH -- This week, an attorney with the New Hampshire Office of Legislative Services (OLS) released an analysis of the NH Department of...
Senate pushes back on House proposal to expand school voucher program
On Tuesday, May 7, a Senate panel pushed back on House Republicans’ effort to sharply increase eligibility for school vouchers in New Hampshire. The...
Legislative Update: State Board receives sharp criticism of proposed minimum standards overhaul, school voucher...
Last Thursday was the halfway point of the legislative session, also known as “crossover day,” when all of the active House bills move to...
Legislative Update: Strong opposition to minimum standards overhaul; Senate passes school voucher expansion
There was sharp opposition to the NH Department of Education’s proposed overhaul of the state’s minimum standards for public school approval last week, with...
Senate to vote on voucher expansion on Friday
On Friday, April 5, the New Hampshire Senate will vote on an expansion of the statewide school voucher program, which would increase the income...
PRESS RELEASE: Analysis Finds NHED’s Recommendations Continue to Overlook Significant Concerns with Minimum Standards...
Concord, NH -- On Wednesday, the NH State Board of Education is holding the first of two public hearings on two initial proposals that...
Legislative Update: State board to hold hearing on standards overhaul; residents urge lawmakers to...
It’s a critical week for public schools in New Hampshire: the NH State Board of Education is holding its first of two public hearings...
WEBINAR: Unpacking the NHED’s Proposed Overhaul of the ED 306 Administrative Rules
At their February meeting, the NH State Board of Education voted to advance the NH Education Department’s proposed overhaul of the minimum standards for...
$57 million in federal funding at risk if lawmakers waive certification requirements for teachers
An effort to waive certification and licensure requirements for part-time teachers and paraprofessionals could put $57 million in federal funding at risk, according to...
Legislative Update: What’s happening with the NHED’s standards overhaul? And co-ops take spotlight this...
At their February meeting, the NH State Board of Education voted to advance the NH Education Department’s proposed overhaul of the minimum standards for...
Lawmakers face dueling priorities: Expanding school vouchers or restoring funding for public schools?
The New Hampshire House Finance Committee is considering a bill that would restore $62 million in state funding for public schools, beginning next school...
Legislative Update: March Madness – NHED subpoena power, school voucher accountability, uncertified part-time teachers,...
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...
Teacher Certification and Student Outcomes: What the Research Says
Lawmakers are considering two bills that would allow uncertified and unlicensed individuals to teach in public schools as long as they work “part-time,” or...
PRESS RELEASE: Overhaul of public school minimum standards are a cause of concern for...
On Thursday, February 15, the NH Department of Education is expected to introduce their proposed Minimum Standards for Public School Approval, also known as...
Mary Wilke: School Vouchers and Fiscal Responsibility | Union Leader
Mary Wilke, a retired public school teacher living in Concord, wrote to the Union Leader on the School Vouchers and Fiscal Responsibility.
From the Union...
Social Emotional Learning ban brings out strong opposition
On Monday, February 5, Representative John Sellers (R-Bristol) introduced a bill that would ban social-emotional learning (SEL) in public schools. House Bill (HB) 1473...
Partial school voucher expansion could cost the state up to $66 million per year,...
Increasing the income eligibility for the state’s school voucher program could cost the state up to $66 million per year, according to Reaching Higher...
Legislative Update: House will vote on universal school voucher expansion on Thursday while committee...
After a marathon voting session last week, the House is scheduled to vote on universal school voucher expansion this Thursday, which could cost the...
School voucher expansion will be “a floor fight” in New Hampshire House
Three bills that would usher in a universal school voucher program will go to the House floor in the coming weeks. The House Education...
Legislative Update: Marathon voting day next week includes school voucher expansion; hearings expanding State...
Next week, the House Education Committee will hold a two-day session voting on recommendations for nearly 50 bills, including four bills that would expand...
Legislative Update: Non-certified teachers in the classroom? Some lawmakers say OK
This week, lawmakers heard from thousands of Granite Staters who oppose school voucher program expansion. Ninety-three percent (93%) of the testimony submitted was in...
10 things to know about HB 1652, the local school voucher program
The House Education Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill (HB) 1652, a proposed law that would create local school vouchers that are...
WEBINAR: Looking Ahead Education Policy in 2024
Wednesday January 10, 2024 | 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Looking Ahead to 2024, rewatch Reaching Higher NH's webinar on the education policy landscape and what we're expecting...
Universal school vouchers could cost the state $105 million per year, according to RHNH...
Bills that would expand New Hampshire’s school voucher program are expected to be introduced in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, January 16. Two...
PRESS RELEASE: School voucher expansion could cost state $82 million in new state spending in...
Released: January 12, 2024
Contact: Christina Pretorius, Policy Director, Reaching Higher NH, (603) 767-6694 or christina@reachinghighernh.org
Concord, NH -- Four bills that will be considered by...
Legislative Update: School voucher expansion will be major focus of lawmakers next week
Next week, the House Education Committee is scheduled to hold four public hearings on bills that would expand the state’s school voucher program, most...
Legislative Update: School voucher expansion bill would render hardship laws “completely meaningless”; Senate passes...
The 2024 legislative session kicked off on January 3, with the House and Senate voting on the retained bills of the last session. The...
Senate kicks off 2024 with public hearings on school voucher expansion, school building aid,...
The NH Senate is opening the 2024 legislative session by re-introducing some of its most controversial legislation of 2023, including school voucher expansion and...
Senate committee unanimously recommends teacher recruitment program for rural and underserved schools
On Monday, November 27, the NH Senate Education Committee unanimously recommended the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 217, which would create a loan forgiveness...
Court finds school funding formula unconstitutional, orders at least $500 million more for public...
In a historic ruling, Rockingham County Superior Court Judge David Ruoff ruled in favor of school districts on Monday when he ruled that the...
New Hampshire Superior Court Judge dismisses suit challenging the state’s school voucher program
A Superior Court Judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state’s school voucher program, ruling that the state “did not delegate its duty to provide...
As school voucher program cost surpasses $24 million this year, state oversight committee raises...
A legislative oversight committee charged with monitoring the state’s school voucher program raised questions about the program’s cost and transparency during their meeting on...
Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee meeting discusses committee report
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | 10 a.m.
On Wednesday, October 25, the Education Freedom Savings Account (EFA) Oversight Committee met for a regular meeting. At...
Recommendations to Reverse Harm and Strengthen Public Schools
All New Hampshire students deserve access to public schools where they can learn, grow, and thrive. Public schools are often the heart of their...
Looking Ahead: 2024 LSRs at a Glance
The window for lawmakers to file prefiled bills, or Legislative Service Requests (LSRs), for the 2024 session opened in early September. To date, Reaching...
WEBINAR: Unpacking the Public School Approval Rules
Join Reaching Higher NH staff as we review the key elements of the NH Department of Education's proposal to overhaul the public school approval...
Far-right media company’s application raises questions about what can, and should, constitute public school...
On Thursday, September 14, the NH State Board of Education will revisit an application from far-right media company PragerU to offer a financial literacy...
Conservative media advocacy group seeking approval to offer public school courses in New Hampshire
UPDATE: The NH State Board of Education unanimously voted to table the PragerU application. They are expected to revisit the application at their meeting...
Lawmakers pass bipartisan budget that boosts public school funding, creates teacher retention program
In a historic vote, lawmakers in both the House and Senate passed a bipartisan budget this week that includes more state funding for public...
Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee holds regular meeting
Monday, June 5, 2023 | 2 p.m.
On Monday afternoon the Education Freedom Account (EFA) Oversight Committee met for a regular meeting. Both Department of...
WEBINAR: Unpacking the Senate Finance Committee’s Recommended Budget
Wednesday May 31, 2023 | 12-1 p.m.
The NH Senate Finance Committee is wrapping up its 2024-2025 state budget recommendations. Watch our webinar below to...
School voucher expansion could come with a $48 million price tag
The bill that would expand the state’s school voucher program will have one more vote at the Senate Finance Committee on Friday: if passed,...
SB 140 provides opportunity for Senate to invest in teacher recruitment through the State...
As the New Hampshire Senate works through its state budget negotiations, one teacher recruitment bill remains and will be taken into consideration this week....
About the School Approval Rules: Takeaways from the NHED Proposed Overhaul
The NH Department of Education has proposed an overhaul of the state's school approval rules, with significant implications for public schools across New Hampshire....
NH Department of Education attempts to redefine state’s role in public education through SB...
Senate Bill (SB 266), a bill that was written by the NH Department of Education, is raising flags among lawmakers and education experts as...
HB 464 could clear a path to universal school voucher program; hearing scheduled for...
The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to host a public hearing for two school voucher expansion bills on Tuesday, April 25, including a bill...
What Impacts the Educator Workforce? Results from the New Hampshire School Staff & Educator...
Reaching Higher NH, in partnership with 15 professional organizations, recently completed a statewide survey of educators and school staff who are changing positions or...
As part of statewide effort to recruit and retain high-quality teacher workforce, lawmakers eye...
New Hampshire lawmakers have proposed a number of programs aimed at addressing the state’s teacher shortage, including student loan forgiveness and financial incentives for...
NH Education News Digest, April 2023
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
April is a time of transition for us at Reaching Higher. Our Communications Director, Sarah Earle, is moving to another organization...
How do you build a positive school culture? At one middle school, students and...
Once a month at Bow Memorial Middle School, a group of student leaders and school staff meet to focus on building community. The goal:...
5 Things to Know About the House’s State Budget
On Thursday, April 6, the NH House passed a state budget that substantially increases need-based funding for public schools and eliminates the school voucher...
WEBINAR: What to know about the House Finance Committee’s proposal for the state budget
Monday, April 3, 2023 | 12-1 p.m.
The House Finance Committee has finalized their recommendations for the 2024-2025 state budget, which include an expansion of...
What to know about the House Finance Committee’s proposal for the state budget
On Wednesday, March 29, the NH House Finance Committee finalized their recommendations for the 2024-2025 state budget. The proposal has significant implications for public...
‘Weyler Amendment’ would lower state contribution to Education Trust Fund, require school building aid,...
Update: The Weyler Amendment was removed from the state budget before its passage on June 8, 2023.
On Tuesday, March 21, House Finance Chairman...
What to know about the Governor’s school funding formula proposal: modest increases in total...
In early March, Governor Chris Sununu’s school funding proposal was released as part of House Bill (HB) 1 and HB 2, the bills that...
Letter signed by 150 local leaders calls on state to fully fund public schools
A letter signed by more than 150 local leaders and presented to the NH House Finance Committee on Monday, March 13, urges lawmakers to...
New Hampshire school funding formula unfair to students with highest needs, according to report
According to a national study by the Education Law Center, New Hampshire’s school funding formula underfunds schools with the highest needs, putting students from...
Hearing for state budget scheduled for Monday, March 13, at 2 p.m. in Reps...
The public hearing for the state budget is scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2023, at 2 p.m. in Reps Hall in the State House....
NH Education News Digest, March 2023
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Last month’s newsletter led with budgets. This month – well, spoiler alert, we’re going to talk about budgets again, but we...
Legislative Update: House passes bill to ‘restore the intended purpose’ of school vouchers; approves...
On Thursday, February 23, the New Hampshire House passed House Bill (HB) 430, which would add a public school attendance requirement to the state’s...
HB 371 would restart process of updating minimum standards due to concerns over NH...
On Monday, February 13, the House Education Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill (HB) 371, which would restart the process of...
NH Education News Digest, February 2023
Dear Friends and Colleagues: February is quite a suspenseful month here in New Hampshire. No, we’re not talking about groundhog behavior or romantic pursuits or...
Proposed funding package would give a $100 million boost in state funding to state’s...
House Bill (HB) 529 would restore two state funding sources for high-poverty school districts and school districts with low tax capacity in New Hampshire.
Key...
Legislative Update: Lawmakers hang on to key school funding bill, school vouchers head to...
The House is buzzing with activity as they quickly reach the first round of deadlines to act on legislation: the House Education Committee has...
Federal funding allowed districts to invest in their students and schools. Now the state...
After soliciting input from the community last year, Somersworth district leaders used a large portion of their federal relief funds to hire a behavior...
WEBINAR: Looking Ahead: Education Policy in 2023
On Wednesday, January 18, Reaching Higher presented the following webinar to the New Hampshire Education Network, offering a preview of key themes in education...
Legislative Update: Minimum standards revisions overlook key concerns; public hearings on school voucher eligibility...
This week will be busy in Concord -- there are dozens of public hearings on school-related legislation, as well as other happenings.
Here’s what you...
Minimum standards revisions overlook key concerns
Late last week, Reaching Higher NH obtained the latest available revision of the Minimum Standards for Public School Approval, which was released to a...
Legislative Update: Public hearings on school voucher expansion this week, Department backtracks on minimum...
This week, the House Education Committee will hold public hearings on two bills that would expand the state’s school voucher program: HB 367, which...
Latest draft of minimum standards expected to be released on Friday
The New Hampshire Department of Education is expected to release the latest draft of the Minimum Standards for Public School Approval, a Department representative...
‘Divisive concepts’ law impeding efforts to recruit and retain teachers, DEIJ directors tell lawmakers;...
A 2021 law that restricts what teachers can say about racism, sexism, and other sensitive topics is making it harder to attract and retain...
NH Education News Digest, January 2023
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
We’re poised on the edge of another busy legislative session in New Hampshire, and once again there’s much at stake for...
Meet Our Team: Matt Gerding, Policy Analyst
Matt Gerding joined Reaching Higher in the summer of 2022 as our new policy analyst. Matt comes to us from the Somersworth School District,...
Legislative Update: 2023 begins with hearing on repeal of divisive concepts bill, meeting of...
While we’re still waiting for the majority of 2023 bills to be released, the work of the House Education Committee will begin this week...
Where do New Hampshire students go to school? 3 key takeaways on K-12 school...
Enrollment in public district schools, private schools, and homeschool programs dropped between 2021 and 2022, according to recent data released by the NH Department...
Time-honored Hanover High School Council models shared decision making
A familiar component of the high school experience, student government isn’t a guaranteed conduit for student voice. To be effective, a student government has...
The NH Education News Digest, December 2022
Dear Friends and Colleagues: Happy December! The end of 2022 finds us in a state of gratitude and anticipation, and we’d like to take this...
