Education
Federal program to encourage universal school meals sees low NH take-up
This story was updated on Oct. 3 at 12:03 p.m. to correct the date that the USDA rule change takes effect. The program is designed around a simple tradeoff. A public school with a sufficient percentage of low-income students agrees to provide free school meals for all students. In return it receives additional funds from […]
NH Republicans oppose bill requiring background checks at schools getting EFA funds
Legislation to require background checks for employees of nonpublic schools that receive Education Freedom Account Program funds appears unlikely to pass after Republicans on the House Education Committee argued it is unnecessary and overreaching. House Bill 628 would require employees of any organization that contracts with the state of New Hampshire to provide in-person instruction […]
Teacher certification renewals are high, but unions say shortages persist
New Hampshire saw a high number of teacher license renewals this year, the Department of Education reported this month, arguing the state is making gains amid a teacher shortage. There were 8,154 renewals of education credentials in 2023, the third highest amount in the last decade, according to the department. New Hampshire teachers must renew […]
State urges schools, parents to take flu season seriously
The days of COVID-19 remote learning are years in the past. But with flu season beginning and winter around the corner, New Hampshire officials are urging parents to be mindful of respiratory illnesses – including coronavirus. Last week, the New Hampshire Department of Education distributed a guidance document to schools for parents, teachers, and school […]
Career readiness in New Hampshire schools boosts students’ hope, survey shows
In New Hampshire schools, preparing students for future careers has become an increasing focus. But one organization argues the state needs to do more. A broad survey of Granite State students released last week suggests that career readiness programs and teaching can improve how engaged students are in their schools – and how “hopeful” they […]
State Board of Education approves PragerU financial literacy course
This story was updated on Sept. 15 at 10:25 a.m. to correct the photo caption. The person testifying in favor of the PragerU financial literacy course is Jody Underwood. The New Hampshire State Board of Education approved a financial literacy course from PragerU as part of the state’s Learn Everywhere program Thursday, overriding backlash from […]
Rebuffing Warmington, New Hampshire AG finds no legal issues with PragerU
New Hampshire’s attorney general dismissed legal concerns Monday over the possible state approval of a financial literacy educational program from PragerU, a conservative media company. In a response to a legal objection raised by Democratic Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington over the potential inclusion of PragerU’s financial literacy class in New Hampshire’s Learn Everywhere program, the […]
Some kids get dental care in school. Advocates aim to make that universal.
Nearly 30 years ago, a group of hygienists, school nurses, and dentists in greater Derry grew concerned that students were coming to school with such painful tooth decay they were missing class. If kids weren’t getting to the dentist, they asked, could dental care come to kids? With help from a local funder and some […]
Nearly half the states now allow in-state tuition for immigrant students
When Cristian Dubon Solis was getting ready to graduate from a Boston high school in 2020, he started planning to apply to college. It was only then he realized that as an immigrant lacking permanent legal status, he wouldn’t qualify for in-state tuition at Massachusetts state universities, nor for state-sponsored financial aid. With no way to […]
Four takeaways from depositions in the ‘divisive concepts’ lawsuit
Editor’s note: Read the depositions in full by clicking the links at the end of the article. Since New Hampshire lawmakers passed a law barring teachers and state employees from advocating for certain concepts around race, sex, and other characteristics, enforcement has been quiet. In two years, just one case has made it onto a […]
Here’s what to know about new federal policies for repaying student loans
WASHINGTON — Following the Supreme Court’s summer ruling against 40 million federal student loan borrowers who would have qualified for debt relief, the Biden administration crafted a year-long delay in repayments. The policy, known as an on-ramp, is set to begin next month. Additionally, hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, the Department of Education unveiled […]
‘It’s really a defense’: As cyberattacks rise, officials urge schools to take precautions
When the Concord School District experienced a cybersecurity attack in 2016, Pamela McLeod was the director of technology. The aftermath, she recalled, was crushing. The infiltrators swept up the W-2 wage and tax forms for all of the district’s employees, which included their names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The targets were forced to move […]