Education

HB 1804 consolidates school administrative units (merging smaller school districts) and makes the position of chief school administrator an elected role rather than an appointed one. It defines specific education roles for school administrators and requires school boards to develop and evaluate curricula. The bill amends several state laws to update compensation structures, reporting requirements, and duties for county-level school officials. These changes directly affect school districts, county school conventions, and chief administrators across New Hampshire. The policy focuses on restructuring school governance and increasing local community input through elections.

SB 507 limits school districts' financial responsibility for continuing education services for students expelled due to assaulting school staff. It requires districts to cover only the average per-pupil cost for such students, rather than full educational expenses. The bill does not change expulsion rules or relieve parents of their obligation to educate their children. This applies specifically to students expelled for assault against staff and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

HB 1545 defines "evidence-based" in education as teaching methods validated through reproducible, well-designed studies across disciplines, excluding subjective measures like surveys. It requires all public education methods in New Hampshire - such as classroom pedagogy, teacher training, and school policies - to meet this standard, with teacher preparation programs in colleges having three years to comply. The Department of Education will review these programs, impose penalties for non-compliance (including fines up to $5,000 or loss of accreditation), and mandate data collection for limited two-year pilot programs. The bill explicitly excludes curriculum content itself from the requirement and mandates clear disclaimers when the "evidence-based" term is misused.

HB 1401 expands the definition of "scholarship organization" for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) to include for-profit entities approved by the Department of Education. This change directly affects families using EFAs, as it allows for-profit organizations - not just non-profits - to administer and implement the program. The key provision amends RSA 194-F:1 by adding "a qualified entity approved by the department of education" to the definition of eligible scholarship organizations. The bill does not alter eligibility for EFA funds but changes who can manage the scholarship distribution process. It takes effect 60 days after passage.