Maddy summaryHB 1608 requires all school districts to establish an induction program for new teachers during their first three years of practice. The bill mandates that every beginning teacher be assigned a trained mentor within the first two weeks of employment, along with a support team that includes an administrator qualified to evaluate teachers. To ensure objectivity, the legislation explicitly prohibits mentors from having any evaluation oversight of the teachers they support. Districts must provide release time for both mentors and new teachers to conduct classroom observations and mentoring activities, while also submitting annual reports detailing program activities, participant numbers, and retention rates to the Department of Education.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a commission to examine how New Hampshire funds special education and to explore ways to reduce the reliance on local property taxes. The commission will be composed of representatives from the state legislature, school administrators, educators, and business officials, who will meet to analyze current costs and study alternative revenue sources. Their work includes reviewing student referral rates, estimating the expenses for various support services like therapy and tutoring, and comparing funding methods used by other states. The group is required to submit an initial report by January 31, 2025, and a final report by January 31, 2026, which will include specific cost estimates and draft legislation for any recommended funding changes.
Maddy summaryHB 1586 proposes a new state funding system for public schools in New Hampshire that shifts from measuring financial inputs to measuring student outcomes. Under this plan, the state would calculate a specific budget for each school district based on the estimated cost needed for all students to reach the statewide average performance in areas like test scores, graduation rates, and attendance. The bill includes a transition mechanism with grants to protect current funding levels for local municipalities while the new system is implemented. Ultimately, the legislation aims to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to achieve the same educational goals regardless of where they live or the wealth of their community.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for free school meals in New Hampshire to include students from households earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Under the new rules, school districts must provide at least one free meal daily to every student whose family income falls below this threshold, with the state funding the additional costs through the education trust fund. The legislation also updates the definition of the education trust fund to explicitly include money for these expanded meal programs. These changes take effect on September 1, 2023, and aim to ensure more children have access to nutritious food during school hours.
Maddy summaryHB 1084 proposes to update the qualifications required for the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Department of Education. Under this bill, these leaders would need to hold an advanced degree, possess current certification as a teacher or school administrator, and have at least five years of combined experience in public school teaching or administration. The legislation also establishes a four-year term for these positions, allowing for reappointment, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryHB 1292 proposes to expand health insurance coverage under the state retiree plan to include dependent children aged 19 to 25 who are full-time students, in addition to minors and disabled children. The bill would require these eligible young adults to pay a premium equal to the full cost of the plan benefits to maintain their coverage. Although the legislation also mentions federal immigration enforcement in its title, the provided text only details changes to insurance eligibility rules. Ultimately, the measure did not become law as it was laid on the table and died when the legislative session ended.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "Master Teacher" credential for educators who have at least seven years of teaching experience and receive high ratings on local evaluation systems. To qualify, teachers must submit a portfolio demonstrating leadership in classroom practice, supervision, student support, collaboration, and professional development. The credential is intended to identify experienced teachers as resources to improve student learning and school collaboration, but it does not grant them authority to recommend personnel actions. Additionally, the bill sets fee limits for issuing and renewing Master Teacher licenses, ensuring they do not exceed the cost of standard educator licenses. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire school districts to create written policies for managing their library collections and handling requests to remove materials. The new rules mandate that these policies cannot ban or remove books based on specific personal characteristics such as race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, nor can they restrict materials based on the viewpoint expressed within them. Under the proposed guidelines, parents and guardians would have a formal process to request a review of library items they find unsuitable, but the material must remain accessible to students while the review is pending. The legislation defines "library materials" broadly to include books, digital resources, and other educational or entertainment items available in school libraries. These policies must be in place and effective by January 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program to offer financial retention grants to teachers working in rural or underserved schools in New Hampshire. To qualify, educators must be full-time staff at schools located in low-density areas or those facing economic challenges, and they must sign a contract to stay at the same school for up to four years. The program provides increasing payments of $1,500 through $4,500 as teachers complete each year of their contract, with the Department of Education responsible for identifying eligible schools and managing the application process. The legislation also authorizes an initial appropriation of $1 for the 2025 fiscal year to fund these grants, with the governor permitted to access these funds from the state treasury.