The following is a list of Education Bills that are scheduled for public hearings on Wednesday, January 28^th or Thursday, January 29^th.  UPDATED SCHEDULE DUE TO SNOW CANCELLATIONS.

Please look over the list to see if you'd like to offer testimony, either in person or via e-mail.

LOB 207  = Legislative Office Building Room 207

Contact information:

House Education Committee: 

HouseEducationCommittee@leg.state.nh.us

For more information on individual bills, look at the index on top left side of page for individual bill webpages.

Please attend the public hearing on Thursday, February 5th at 9:20 AM in LOB Room 103.

How did Common Core reforms come into every district in New Hampshire without the knowledge or consent of the people's elected representatives in the state legislature or district school boards? 

Current procedures used by the NH Commissioner of Education provide no transparency to parents, taxpayers, elected school board members, or even elected state legislators.  The Commissioner circumvented every opportunity to bring these important conversations out into the public square for debate and discussion. 

Instead the Commissioner choose to rely upon monthly meetings between herself and district administrators, as well as additional meetings between her Regional Liaisons, which she called her "Extended Cabinet" and district administrators.  These monthly were all held behind closed doors and without any minutes or videotape recording made available to the public.

What evidence is there of the procedure used to implement Common Core in every district?

In 2012 the Commissioner promised the U.S. Department of Education in her ESEA Flexibility Waiver (No Child Left Behind) Application that not only would every district in New Hampshire adopt Common Core State Standards for Math and English Language Arts (ELA), but also that the state Board of Education would adopt the Science and Social Studies State Standards by 2014. 

That promise exceeded the Commissioner’s authority. It violates state law, RSA 193-E, which guarantees local authority over curriculum. Districts do not have to adopt Common Core, only meet or exceed state standards. Common Core State Standards must be voluntary, not mandatory.

In her grant application, the Commissioner promised:

“…roll-out by district take place in three stages, with an early adopter group of districts selected to start up in 2013-2014, a second cohort to launch in 2014-2015, and the final cohort in 2015-2016.  The early adopter and middle cohorts districts would be districts who volunteer to participate, with the remaining districts falling into the third and final cohort.” pg. 166, http://www2.ed.gov/policy/eseaflex/nh.pdf

This document can be found on the US Department of Education website.  It is not the abridged copy that can be found on the NH Department of Education. 

http://www.education.nh.gov/accountability-system/documents/flexibility-waiver-request20130605.pdf 

From this same application, NH Flexibility ESEA (No Child Left Behind Waiver) application, on page 31, there is a description of NH’s Implementation Team, which explains how Common Core reforms were implemented without adequate transparency.

"The five regional liaisons are the newest addition to the support and outreach plan for implementing CCSS (Common Core State Standards) and the networked strategy for the NH DOE."

"As part of their ongoing support role, the regional liaisons participate in monthly superintendent, principal and CIA (curriculum, instruction and assessment) meetings that take place in their respective regions."

"They also form a conduit for feedback to the NHDOE thereby supporting a continuous demand driven approach to implementing CCSS. The liaisons will participate in bi-monthly meetings at the NHDOE, included as members of the Commissioner's extended cabinet, ensuring a better two-way flow of information between the field (districts) and the NHDOE."

Regional Centers were established under the NH Department of Education using federal funds insuring the implementation of Common Core throughout the state.  This is how Common Core was implemented in nearly every school district in the state before parents or elected school board members were notified. 

Regional Liaisons have been meeting monthly with school district administrators, helping implement Common Core  -- without transparency (no videorecordings or meeting minutes) and without the knowledge or consent of elected representatives of any school board or even the state legislature.

Senate Bill 82 rectifies this non-transparent procedure used by the Commissioner by reigning in her authority.

If the Commissioner of Education wants to be a federal lobbyist, implementing every federal education reform proposal, let her come openly to School Boards and the State Legislature to discuss those reforms with our elected representatives.

The Commissioner of Education and her Department officials ought to wear PURPLE LOBBYIST badges , not ORANGE LOBBYIST badges as private sector lobbyists are required to wear, since the Department is 85% funded with federal dollars.  The Commissioner represents the ROYAL interests of the federal government, not the people of New Hampshire.

SENATE BILL 82

AN ACT relative to the authority of the commissioner of the department of education.

SPONSORS: Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Rep. Ferreira, Hills 28; Rep. Murotake, Hills 32; Rep. K. Rice, Hills 37; Rep. Zaricki, Hills 6

COMMITTEE: Education

ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits the commissioner of the department of education from initiating or assuming any managerial, supervisory, or operational function, or directing action with district superintendents, principals, or CIA (curriculum, instruction, and assessment), and prohibits the commissioner from initiating or establishing district oversight through an extended cabinet of regional liaisons.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen

AN ACT relative to the authority of the commissioner of the department of education.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Paragraph; Department of Education; Duties of Commissioner. Amend RSA 21-N:4 by inserting after paragraph XI the following new paragraph:

XII. Not initiate or assume any managerial, supervisory, or operational function, or direct action with district superintendents, principals, or CIA (curriculum, instruction, and assessment), nor initiate or establish district oversight through an extended cabinet of regional liaisons.

Please attend the public hearing on Thursday, February 5th at 9:20 AM in LOB Room 103. It is important for the commitee members to see parents who oppose this amendment.

LOB (Legislative Office Building), 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301

Free parking on side streets to the west of the LOB. Closer in is 2 to 3 hour parking zones. Two to three blocks away there's unlimited free parking.

If you can't attend, please contact Senate Education Members with the reasons why you SUPPORT Senate Bill 81. 

Protect LOCAL CONTROL of our schools.  Reign in the Commissioner of Education who lobbies for federal education reforms.

A Public Hearing on House Bill 332 will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 1:30 PM in the Room 207 of the LOB (Legislative Office Building) in Concord.

House Bill 332  requires school districts to provide advance notice to parents and legal guardians of course material involving controversial material that may be objectionable to some parents. 

Rep. Victoria Sullivan (R-Manchester), sponsor of HB 332, did not submit a bill to mandate or dictate curriculum.  Her bill simply requires transparency so parents themselves can make informed decisions.  This is a pro-liberty and pro-parental rights bill. 

The bill adds the following language to RSA 186:11, IX-c:

The policy shall also require the school district or classroom teacher to provide parents and legal guardians not less than 2 weeks advance notice of course material involving the discussion of human sexuality or human sexual education. To the extent practicable, a school district shall make program instruction materials for such courses available to parents, legal guardians, educators, school administrators, and other interested parties for inspection and review.

A Public Hearing on this bill will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 1:30 PM in the Room 207 of the LOB (Legislative Office Building) in Concord.

Please attend the public hearing. It is important for the commitee members to see parents who oppose this amendment.

Legislative Office Building 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301

Free parking on side streets to the west of the LOB. Closer in is 2 to 3 hour parking zones. Two to three blocks away there's unlimited free parking.

If you can't attend, please contact House Education Members with the reasons why you SUPPORT House Bill 332. 

Protect LOCAL CONTROL of our schools.

Email the entire House Education Committee members with this single email address:

HouseEducationCommittee@leg.state.nh.us

Or contact House Education Members individually with your support for this bill:

Sen. Kevin Avard has introduced Senate Bill 101 - prohibiting the state from requiring the implementation of Common Core standards.

PLEASE keep emailing the Senate. ALL of them, not just the Committee.

Tell the Senate  that Senate Bill 101 protects LOCAL CONTROL and provides districts with a CHOICE.

Jeff Woodburn (d)
(603)271-3207
Jeff.Woodburn@leg.state.nh.us

Jeanie Forrester (r)
(603)271-4980
jeanie.forrester@leg.state.nh.us

Jeb Bradley (r)
(603)271-2106
jeb.bradley@leg.state.nh.us

David Watters (d)
(603)271-8631
david.watters@leg.state.nh.us

David Pierce (d)
(603)271-3067
david.pierce@leg.state.nh.us

Sam Cataldo (r)
(603)271-4063
sam.cataldo@leg.state.nh.us

Andrew Hosmer (d)
(603)271-8631
andrew.hosmer@leg.state.nh.us

Gerald Little (r)
(603)271-4151
Jerry.Little@leg.state.nh.us

Andy Sanborn (r)
(603)271-2609
andy.sanborn@leg.state.nh.us

Molly Kelly (d)
(603)271-3207
molly.kelly@leg.state.nh.us

Gary Daniels (r)
(603)271-2609
Gary.Daniels@leg.state.nh.us

Kevin Avard (r)
(603)271-4151
Kevin.Avard@.leg.state.nh.us

Bette Lasky (d)
(603)271-3091
bette.lasky@leg.state.nh.us

Sharon Carson (r)
(603)271-1403
sharon.carson@leg.state.nh.us

Dan Feltes (d)
(603)271-3067
Dan.Feltes@leg.state.nh.us

David Boutin (r)
(603)271-3092
dboutin1465@comcast.net

John Reagan (r)
(603)271-4063
john.reagan111@gmail.com

Donna Soucy (d)
(603)271-3207
donna.soucy@leg.state.nh.us

Regina Birdsell (r)
(603)271-4151
Regina.Birdsell@.leg.state.nh.us

Lou D'Allesandro (d)
(603)271-2117
dalas@leg.state.nh.us

Martha Fuller Clark (d)
(603)271-3076
martha.fullerclark@leg.state.nh.us

Chuck Morse (r)
(603)271-8472
chuck.morse@leg.state.nh.us

Russell Prescott (r)
(603)271-3074
represcott@represcott.com

Nancy Stiles (r)
(603)271-3093
nancy.stiles@leg.state.nh.us

Click here for Testimony -- Explaining Why Senate Bill 101 is Moderate Legislation

SENATE BILL 101

AN ACT prohibiting the state from requiring implementation of common core standards.

SPONSORS: Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Daniels, Dist 11; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17; Sen. Boutin, Dist 16; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Rep. Burt, Hills 39; Rep. Jones, Straf 24; Rep. Notter, Hills 21; Rep. W. O'Brien, Hills 5; Rep. Hoell, Merr 23

COMMITTEE: Education

ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits the department of education and the state board of education from implementing the common core standards in any school or school district in this state.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen

AN ACT prohibiting the state from requiring implementation of common core standards.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Substantive Educational Content of an Adequate Education. Amend RSA 193-E:2-a, IV to read as follows:

IV.(a) The school approval standards for the areas identified in paragraph I shall constitute the opportunity for the delivery of an adequate education. The general court shall periodically, but not less frequently than every 10 years, review, revise, and update, as necessary, the standards identified in paragraph I and shall ensure that the high quality of the standards is maintained. Changes made by the board of education to the school approval standards through rulemaking after the effective date of this section shall not be included within the standards that constitute the opportunity for the delivery of an adequate education without prior adoption by the general court. The board of education shall provide written notice to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the chairs of the house and senate education committees of any changes to the school approval standards adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A.

(b) The common core state standards shall not be required by the department of education or the state board of education to be implemented in any school or school district in this state.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Please attend the public hearing. It is important for the commitee members to see parents who support this bill.

Legislative Office Building 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301

Free parking on side streets to the west of the LOB. Closer in is 2 to 3 hour parking zones. Two to three blocks away there's unlimited free parking.

If you can't attend, please contact House Education Members with your support for Senate Bill 101:

An Amendment will be offered on Tuesday by Sen. Avard to include language which defines "Competencies" as follows:

“Competencies” are student learning targets that represent ACADEMIC concepts, skills and knowledge measured within a SINGLE content domain, such as English/ language arts and reading, mathematics, science, social studies, art, language, health, or physical education.   

Part of the Common Core reforms has been to transform education to focus on student "competencies"  -- which were never defined in state law.  In fact, Sen. Nancy Stiles introduced to two legislative proposals on "competencies" and both bills failed to obtain the support of the legislature. The legislature did not want to transform education to measure student "competencies."

However, "competencies" were subsequently defined by the NH Department of Education to be any combination of concepts, skills or knowledge "within or across content domains."

Current Regulatory (Ed 306) Definition:

“Competencies” means student learning targets that represent key content-specific concepts, skills, and knowledge applied within or across content domains. Specific and required types of competencies include district competencies and graduation competencies;

Under the Department's regulation, a "competency" in mathematics may require a student to demonstrate skills in mathematics, English Language Arts and history.  These multi-disciplinary courses can easily undermine the self-esteem of students, particularly at-risk students, who are good at mathematics, but may for some reason may have delays in their English or history skills. 

Students need objective measures of their performance in single academic areas.  Please support Sen. Avard's amendment to restore education to traditional learning targets and assessments.

Previous articles on Competency-based Education:

• Three Common Core Aligned Bills: HB 142 (Statewide Policy for Teacher Evaluations); SB 48 (Assessing Student "Dispositions"); SB 82 (Commission to Define & Implement Competency-Based Education)
• Sen. Nancy Stiles Bypasses the Legislature to Implement Failed COMMON CORE Legislation
• Written Testimony to the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules -- Public Hearing Delayed to Jan. 17th, 2014
• Common Core and all that goes with it in NASHUA

A copy of Sen. Avard's AMENDMENT to SB 101 is ATTACHED BELOW:

Attached (below) is a Refusal Form which can be printed out, signed and submitted to your school principal's office.  Parents may OPT OUT or REFUSE to allow their child to take the SMARTER BALANCED ASSESSMENTS which will be given starting in the Spring of 2015.

SMARTER BALANCED ASSESSMENT REFUSAL FORM

I, _______________________________________________________, am indicating to school

       (Parent / Guardian name)

administration that my son/daughter, ______________________________________________,

                                                                                        (Child’s name)

In grade _________ is refusing to participate in the administration of the Grade 3-8 and 11

Smarter Balanced Assessment.

I understand that if my child is in school during the testing days, they will be brought to an alternate location with supervision for the duration of the testing period.  No alternate assignment will be provided.  Students should bring a book to sit and read during that time.

Parent / Guardian Signature __________________________________Date _________________

Please return the signed form to the appropriate school’s Main Office.  Thank you.

Why would parents want to OPT OUT?

In the Spring of 2015 New Hampshire public schools will administer the Smarter Balanced Assessments to students in grades 3 – 8 and grade 11. 

Parents may OPT OUT or REFUSE to allow their children to take this assessment and there are many good reasons WHY A PARENT SHOULD OPT OUT:

·      Behavioral Assessment:  Smarter Balanced Assessments include psychological questions, which measure student’s disposition -- his values, attitudes and beliefs, not just his academic abilities.

·      Privacy Concerns: Smarter Balanced Assessments are online assessments that send private student information and answers directly to the SBA Consortia and then to the US Department of Education.  There is no timeline established to erase any of this private student information, which may then be shared and sold for research or marketing to corporations -- without parental consent.

·      Adaptive Assessments:  No two assessments are alike because the test adapts to the individual strength or weakness of each student.  Practically speaking, it’s impossible to compare scores when all students are taking different assessments.

·      Secrecy:  Students and teachers are asked to sign a confidentiality statement, promising not to talk about or share any assessment information.  Parents are not allowed to review and inspect these assessments in violation of federal law.

For more information, go to NH Families for Education website: NHFFE.ORG

Click on attached file below for a printable form: