Minimum Standards

Minimum Standards for Public Schools Approval, ED 306

Given the substantial public interest and the vast importance of updating the Ed 306 Minimum Standard Rules, this webpage was created to post information, updates, deadlines and documents related to the rulemaking process and timeline. As a courtesy, and in excess of the obligations of administrative rulemaking, the New Hampshire Department of Education has compiled all written public testimony on the Ed 306 proposal that was submitted to the State Board of Education through April 30, 2024. Please note that written testimony has been redacted to protect personal contact information.   

Written Public Testimony

Initial Proposal Stage

Ed 306.01-306.25 (Front Half) (Voted on and approved by the State Board, February 2024)

Ed 306.31-306.46 (Back Half) (Voted on and approved by the State Board, February 2024)

OLS Comments on Initial Proposals

Ed 306.01-306.25 (Front Half) (May 2024)

Ed 306.31-306.46 (Back Half) (May 2024)

Working Drafts

Draft of the Ed 306 Minimum Standard Rules (March 2024) 

Side-by-Side for Board Discussion (July 11, 2024)

Final Proposal Stage

Ed 306.01-306.26 (Front Half) (Voted on and approved by the State Board August 14, 2024)

Ed 306.27-306.39 (Back Half) (Voted on and approved by the State Board September 16, 2024)

The State Board of Education is in the process of reviewing a proposal to amend rules governing the Minimum Standards for Public Schools Approval, Ed 306. As part of this process, public input and feedback from educators, parents and community members is being sought on the proposal. The Minimum Standards Rule outlines regulatory requirements that all public school districts and public academies must comply with. 

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 two years, a committee has been working to amend and revise the rules. To date, there has been input from a number of professional organizations, including teachers, school boards, school administrators, special educators, principals and others. 

Educator Cohorts

Educator cohorts for the purpose of evaluating the content sections of the ED 306 rule work are reviewing the rule language as part of the ongoing effort to develop a draft proposal to be presented to the State Board of Education. 

This public letter calls on New Hampshire public school educators to participate in educator content review sessions for the ED 306 rules. Two days of sessions were held for different regions of the state, and specific content areas were scheduled to be reviewed on selected days. 

Procedural Steps

  • The State Board of Education was presented with this initial draft proposal at its February 2024 meeting.
  • A public hearing (on ED 306.01-306.25) was held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 3 at 25 Hall St. in Concord. 
  • A second public hearing continuing on the first half of the rules and also incorporating the second half (ED 306.31-306.46) was held at 1 p.m. on April 11 at 25 Hall St. in Concord. 
  • Written public comment was accepted until April 30, 2024.

Previous Listening Sessions

Several public listening sessions were hosted by NCCBL in 2023, including: 

  • May 9 at Oyster River
  • May 10 in Bow
  • May 11 in Keene
  • May 15 at Winnicunnet
  • May 17 in Litchfield
  • May 22 in Hillsborough
  • May 24 in Henniker
  • May 25 in Kearsarge
  • May 30 in Goffstown
  • June 5 in Manchester
  • September 12 in Concord/Merrimack Valley
  • September 18 in Exeter
  • September 19 in Hinsdale