Summary

SB 48 (Open States or New Hampshire Legislature) represents a shift in thinking on the existing chapter on school performance and accountability. It moves away from traditional models and towards a system which would prepare students for college and career through the use of clear learning outcomes and competency-based learning.

It would also change the references to schools in need of improvement to priority schools and focus schools.

Legislative Analysis

Competency-Based Learning

A purpose section is established to direct the accountability model. An accountability model should:

• Enable all students to progress towards college and career readiness.
• Ensure assessment systems promote and measures knowledge and skills that lead to college and career readiness.
• Allow students to advance when they demonstrate mastery.
• Provide an educator support system promoting the capacity of educators to deeply engage students in rigorous learning.
• Create competency-based strategies that provide flexibility in the way that credit can be awarded and provide students with personalized learning including those that are offered online or in a blended setting.

The legislation states, “students best learn at their own pace as they master content and skills, allowing them to advance when they demonstrate the desired level of mastery rather than progressing based on a predetermined amount of seat time in a classroom will assure that students will reach college and career readiness”

Accountability Measures

This current legislation consolidates low performing districts and schools under the two new definitions of “Priority” and “Focus” schools. Current legislation governing remediation and response to being designated a low performing school remains in place (ie list of target schools not meeting state performance targets etc).

Definitions

Priority School is defined as a school accepting Title 1 funds, is among the lowest performing 5 percent of schools or is a high school with a graduation rate of less than 60 percent over 3 years.

Focus School is defined as a school accepting Title 1 funds and has the largest within-school gaps between the highest and lowest achieving subgroups, or a high school with the highest gaps in graduation rates.

Legislative History

House Vote:         House Conference Report Adopted
Date:                      6/17/2013

Senate Vote:        Senate Conference Report Adopted
Date:                      6/17/2013

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan | Open States

Signed by Governor Maggie Hassan (D) on 7/24/2013