Education
Bill requiring single-sex school bathrooms divides parents, students
New Hampshire House lawmakers are considering a bill that requires all multiple-stall bathrooms in public schools to be restricted to one sex, continuing a years-long debate around rights for transgender students. Sponsored by Rep. Michael Moffett, a Loudon Republican, House Bill 104 states that “all multi-stall bathrooms and locker rooms in all New Hampshire public […]
As Democrats press to increase school funding, different approaches emerge
Democrats and public school advocates have pushed for years to increase the default amount the state pays public schools per student. This year, Rep. Tom Schamberg, a Wilmot Democrat, has a simple solution: Calculate the average amount school districts pay to educate students, cut that number in half, and require the state to pay that […]
Democrats seek to limit EFA program to public school attendees, sparking debate
A Democratic bill seeking to limit New Hampshire’s “education freedom accounts” to students who have spent at least one year in public school has reignited debates over who should have access to the program. Sponsored by Rep. Dave Luneau, a Hopkinton Democrat, House Bill 430 would allow students to benefit from the EFA program only […]
U.S. District Court allows ‘banned concepts’ lawsuit to proceed
A lawsuit brought by state teachers unions and the ACLU of New Hampshire against a law banning certain instruction in the classroom around race, gender, and equity will move forward to trial, after the U.S. District Court rejected an attempt to dismiss it. In an order issued Thursday, District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro struck down […]
Teachers, public school advocates push for repeal of ‘divisive concepts’ law
Persuasive research papers are a yearly assignment in David Scannell’s English classes, and grading them is part of the job. But last school year, the Milford High School teacher faced a new challenge. The New Hampshire Legislature had passed a law in 2021 barring public school teachers from advocating for certain positions around race, gender, […]
Pandemic aid, inflation drive higher per-pupil spending in NH public schools
New Hampshire’s schools are spending more per student than ever before, in part because of an increase of federal COVID-19-related funding. New figures released by the state’s Department of Education Friday show that the schools spent about 5.24 percent more per student in the 2021-2022 school year than in the prior school year. The 2020-2021 […]
Department of Education seeks 41% reduction in Prenda funding, citing low take-up
The New Hampshire Department of Education is seeking to reduce the amount of federal funding going to Prenda, a private pod-based learning company, after lower-than-expected enrollment by students. The department is requesting to lower the total value of its four-year contract with Prenda from $5.8 million to $3.4 million, a 41 percent decrease, according to […]
Child advocate: Protecting at-risk children requires more staff, funding
Citing a 31 percent increase in incident reports of restraints, seclusion, and other mistreatment of children, the state’s child advocate told state officials Monday that she needs more staff and money to ensure the state is providing at-risk youth safe, dignified, and effective treatment. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez requested to expand her staff of eight, […]
New Hampshire school enrollment drops again, continuing a 20-year decline
New Hampshire public schools opened this school year with 1,845 fewer kids than they did last year – a 1.1 percent drop. But when it comes to the state’s enrollment trends, the change was hardly surprising. For 20 years, attendance in New Hampshire schools has steadily declined, with no signs of a turning point. The […]
Student loan repayment pause extended by White House amid legal battles over relief plan
WASHINGTON — The Department of Education announced on Tuesday it is extending the pandemic-era pause on federal student loan repayments until June 30 while legal challenges to the administration’s student debt relief program are fought over in the courts. The agency said if the student debt relief program has not been put in place by […]
New buyer keeps Crotched Mountain School open
A Massachusetts-based company that provides health and other services at more than 200 locations in New England and abroad announced Monday that it is buying the Crotched Mountain School for children with disabilities, which was set to close this week. Seven Hills Foundation, headquartered in Worcester, announced it had an agreement to buy the 125-acre […]
State seeks approval for $9.8 million in federal funds toward school security upgrades
New Hampshire officials are seeking this week to distribute $9.8 million in federal funds to help boost school door-locking systems to mitigate threats. In a request to the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, Gov. Chris Sununu said the funds will be spread among 231 public schools and 18 nonpublic schools if approved. The committee will vote […]