SB 659 defines what constitutes an "adequate education" for New Hampshire public schools by listing 11 required subject areas, including English, math, science, civics, arts, health, physical education, and computer science. It establishes that the state must determine the cost of this defined education for each municipality based on student enrollment. The bill directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire by setting mandatory curriculum standards for funding and accountability. It replaces previous definitions with specific, measurable learning areas that school districts must provide.
HB 112 requires students at New Hampshire's public universities and community colleges to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test (a 128-question test with a 70% passing score) to graduate, starting January 1, 2026. It applies to all students admitted or transferring after that date, excluding exchange students and foreign nationals. Institutions must establish procedures to administer, certify, and track test results, with costs estimated at $200,000-$1,000,000 annually covered by school operating funds. The bill does not provide state funding and exempts non-U.S. students, focusing solely on a graduation requirement for domestic students.
HB 431 establishes a commission to review draft rules for minimum standards in public school approval and state academic standards before they are submitted to the legislature. The commission includes 13 members representing school administrators, principals, curriculum specialists, and teachers at all grade levels, plus a competency-based education expert. It must recommend language supporting competency-based education, evidence-based practices, and professional learning for educators. The commission has 120 days to review each draft and submit recommendations to the education department and state board of education.
HB 1122 requires all New Hampshire high school students aged 16 and older to take courses covering hunting, wildlife management, and responsible firearms usage as part of their curriculum. The bill mandates school districts to implement these courses in collaboration with the fish and game commission, with an exemption for students whose parents or guardians provide written religious or conscientious objections - allowing alternative instruction in forestry management or community service instead. This policy aims to integrate New Hampshire's hunting heritage and conservation practices into education standards, aligning with state constitutional references to hunting as a cultural tradition. The requirement applies to all public high schools and is structured as a new component of the state's educational framework.
HB 1183 changes New Hampshire's high school graduation requirements by mandating that students complete four mathematics courses to meet the state's math competency standard for career and college readiness. This replaces the current option allowing students to fulfill the requirement with three math courses plus one non-math course that applied math skills (e.g., in career-technical education). The bill applies to all public high school students graduating after July 1, 2027, and requires school boards to approve the specific math courses. The change eliminates the flexibility of combining math with other subjects to meet the graduation standard.
SB 578 requires all public schools to provide daily recess for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, expanding current requirements. It mandates play-based learning for kindergarten through third grade and explicitly prohibits withholding recess as punishment for misbehavior or incomplete schoolwork. The bill defines recess as unstructured outdoor play (when safe), separate from physical education classes. This law applies to all public schools in the state, directly affecting K-8 students and school policies.
HB 1808 creates a new position for an "academic research and improvement performance data analyst" within the New Hampshire Department of Education. This state employee, at the administrator III level, will collect and analyze education data to measure student progress, evaluate programs, guide curriculum decisions, and support school improvement efforts. The bill appropriates $160,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund this position, with subsequent years' costs estimated at $103,000-$108,000. The role directly affects the Department of Education’s internal operations and indirectly supports schools and educators through data-driven insights.
HB 1799 defines what constitutes a "constitutionally adequate education" in New Hampshire, requiring the state to fund specific resources to ensure all students have access to quality education regardless of location. The bill mandates funding for key staff (teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses), instructional materials, technology, facilities maintenance, and transportation starting in 2026. It directs school districts and the state to develop plans addressing educational outcome disparities between districts. This directly affects public school districts and the state's education budget, shifting responsibility to cover these defined costs rather than relying solely on local property taxes.
HB 1524 requires all New Hampshire public high schools to offer a logic and critical thinking course as part of their curriculum, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates a minimum of 54 instructional hours for this course and defines critical thinking as understanding evidence, identifying logical fallacies, and evaluating information sources like social media. The state board of education must develop policy guidelines for teaching the course, and schools must integrate existing critical thinking instruction into this new requirement. This directly affects all high school students and educators across the state, with no new state funding provided for implementation.
HB 1830 requires all New Hampshire public schools to provide annual firearm safety education to students in grades K-12 as part of health, physical education, or civics classes. The training must be age-appropriate - focusing on avoidance and reporting for grades K-5, and expanding to safe handling, storage, and legal responsibilities for grades 6-12 - using dummy firearms or multimedia resources (no live weapons). Parents may opt their children out under existing procedures, and school districts must report compliance annually to the state. The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop the curriculum by 2027 but provides no state funding, relying instead on grants and external resources.
