Last November, the Rockingham Superior Court ruled that New Hampshire is failing its constitutional duty to equitably fund an adequate education. The state has two options in response: fund quality public education or just lower the bar. Proposed revisions to state standards suggest the Department of Education’s intention to choose the second option. The 306 Committee, which helps define an “adequate education,” and the DOE have come up with concerning proposals. In the section on extended learning opportunities, for example, the word “certified” was removed from references to educators. References to equitable discipline and maximum class sizes are gone. The word “local” has been stricken in all references to school boards, signaling that the state board will continue to consolidate control.

Former Republican State Rep. Fred Bramante, chair of the 306 Committee, said that much of the concerning language came from the DOE as the document went back and forth between his committee and the department. “Ultimately, [Commissioner Edelblut] has more say than we do.” The NH League of Women Voters has asked an important question of Commissioner Edelblut: “Why are you considering revisions to the 306 rules that so clearly and blatantly undermine our public schools?” Unsurprisingly, since he has aggressively supported every attempt to do just that, he has not responded. We can, though. We can speak out now against attempts to lower standards, and in November, we can replace anti-public education Republicans with representatives who truly, as our Constitution requires, “cherish education.”

Jean Lewandowski

Nashua