Public hearings scheduled to review draft proposal of the Minimum Standards for Public Schools Approval

CONCORD, NH — Public hearings have been scheduled to review a proposal to amend rules governing the Minimum Standards for Public Schools Approval, which outlines regulatory requirements that all public school districts and public academies must comply with. 

As part of this process, public input and feedback from educators, parents and community members is being sought by the State Board of Education on the proposal. A public hearing on the first half (ED 306.01-306.25) will be held from 1-4:30 p.m. on April 3 at 25 Hall St. in Concord. A second public hearing continuing on the first half, plus incorporating the second half (ED 306.31-306.46), will take place at 1 p.m. on April 11 at 25 Hall St. in Concord. 

“We are looking forward to hearing from constituents about this proposal and progressing with the rule-making process. Substantial work with the National Education Association – New Hampshire (NEA-NH), the New Hampshire School Administrators Association (NHSAA) and other groups has been ongoing to develop recommendations that will be considered by the State Board of Education,” said Frank Edelblut, education commissioner. “This ED 306 draft will support rules that reflect a system of learning that we aspire to for our children, and create more opportunities and local control. New Hampshire can continue to build on its legacy of a 21st century learning system, which requires moving past an industrial style, cookie-cutter educational system and recognizing that all students are individual learners with different pathways toward success.”

Previously, the New Hampshire Department of Education engaged the National Center for Competency Based Learning (NCCBL) to lead a team in developing a draft to be brought back to the State Board of Education for review. For the past three years, this group has been working to amend and revise a rule draft. To date, there has been input from a record number of professional organizations, including teachers, school boards, school administrators, special educators, principals and more. Dozens of listening sessions have been held throughout the past year to gather feedback from around the state.

“The proposed draft for the new minimum standards for public schools are a welcome continuation of the cutting-edge work New Hampshire is doing to provide a truly competency-based education for all young learners,” said Elizabeth Cardine, lead teacher at Making Community Connections Public Charter School. “We here at the Making Community Connections Charter School have developed, promoted and prototyped competency-based learning for almost 20 years (originally as part of the Monadnock Community Connections Charter School) and while the work is challenging, it is certainly beneficial to our diverse learning population. During and post-COVID, schools have had to adapt to more personalized and creative approaches to recognizing and rewarding learning, and these regulations will help all educators prepare our graduates to be informed, active and empowered citizens.”

The State Board of Education approved initial proposals of the minimum standards at its February meeting. Since then, work has continued with NEA-NH, NHSAA and NCCBL, and this draft reflects changes that will be presented to the State Board of Education for its consideration. While Drew Cline, chairman of the State Board of Education, participated in the discussions around these changes, he alone does not speak for the board. 

*There is a Zoom link for the public wishing to view the April 3 meeting.