Revision: Dec. 10, 2025, 9:52 a.m.
HB 1571-FN-A - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2852
12/06
HOUSE BILL 1571-FN-A
SPONSORS: Rep. Noble, Hills. 2; Rep. Thibault, Merr. 25; Rep. Peternel, Carr. 6; Rep. Freeman, Belk. 8; Rep. Korzen, Coos 7; Rep. Belcher, Carr. 4
COMMITTEE: Education Policy and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the department of education to revise the statewide academic standards for the learning areas of English/language arts and reading, mathematics, and science and makes an appropriation for such purpose.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2852
12/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Educational Content for an Adequate Education. Amend RSA 193-E:2-a, V to read as follows:
V.(a) [The general court requires every 10 years the state board of education and the department of education to institute procedures for maintaining, updating, improving, and refining the minimum standards for public school approval and the curriculum frameworks for each area of education identified in paragraph I. Each school district shall be responsible for maintaining, updating, improving, and refining curriculum. The curriculum shall present educational goals, broad pedagogical approaches, and strategies for assisting students in the development of the skills, competencies, and knowledge called for by the minimum standards for public school approval and academic standards for each area of education identified in paragraph I. The curriculum frameworks shall serve as a guide and reference to what New Hampshire students should know and be able to do in each area of education identified in paragraph I. Curriculum frameworks do not establish a statewide curriculum. It is the responsibility of local teachers, administrators, and school boards to identify and implement approaches best suited for the students in their communities to acquire the skills and knowledge included in the curriculum, to determine the scope, organization, and sequence of course offerings, and to choose the methods of instruction, the activities, and the materials to be used.] The statewide academic standards, as defined in RSA 193-E:2-a, VI(b), shall be reviewed for possible revision every 10 years, beginning in June 2026. The department of education shall initiate a revision of these standards, as well as the current science standards, to ensure alignment with high-quality criteria that emphasize rigor, clarity, and relevance. The revised standards shall reflect a coherent progression of knowledge, skills, and competencies across grade levels. The development process shall include meaningful participation by students, parents, and educators, consistent with the intent of RSA 193-C:1, III.
(b) The state board of education shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the approval of alternative programs for granting credit leading to graduation.
(c) The department shall make available a list of high quality curriculum and instructional materials based upon the revised standards from which school districts shall select new curriculum and materials.
(d) The state shall revise the statewide education improvement and assessment program, as established in RSA 193-C, to align with the revised standards developed pursuant to RSA 193-E:2-a, V(a).
2 Appropriation; Revision of Statewide Academic Standards. The sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and the sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028, are hereby appropriated to the department of education for the purpose of funding support systems for the development and implementation of revised statewide academic standards pursuant to RSA 193-E:2-a, V. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
26-2852
12/4/25
HB 1571-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $1,300,000 | $625,000 to $725,000 | $600,000 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $1 | $1 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Department of Education to initiate a revision of the statewide academic standards for English/language arts and reading, mathematics, and science beginning in June 2026, consistent with a 10-year revision cycle. The bill directs that the revised standards must align with high-quality criteria emphasizing rigor, clarity, relevance, and coherent progression across grade levels. The development process must also include meaningful participation from students, parents, and educators, consistent with RSA 193-C:1, III. Implementing the required revisions will involve a multi-content-area standards development process requiring substantial coordination, expert consultation, and stakeholder engagement. English/language arts (ELA) literacy, mathematics, and science standards, ensuring alignment with high-quality criteria across these areas will necessitate a structured, resource-intensive process. To meet the requirements of the bill, the Department states it will need to:
Based on the assumptions described above, the Department estimates that this bill will require a comprehensive revision of statewide academic standards in English/language arts and reading, mathematics, and science, as well as development of a statewide process for reviewing and identifying high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). These activities cannot be absorbed within the Department’s existing budget or staffing structure. To determine the estimated fiscal impact, the Department reviewed prior costs of statewide standards revisions, market rates for contracted content experts, and typical costs associated with stakeholder engagement, publication, assessment alignment, and HQIM vetting. Costs were then assigned by fiscal year corresponding to when the required work would occur:
FY 2027 | ||
Cost Category | Description | Estimated Cost |
Contracted subject-matter experts | Full standards revision across all content areas, including coherence, vertical alignment, disciplinary literacy, and early foundational skills | $650,000 |
HQIM criteria & review framework | Develop NH-aligned HQIM rubrics, adoption processes, and cross-walks to revised standards | $150,000 |
Stakeholder engagement & facilitation | Educator advisory groups, regional forums, family engagement, translation services, public hearings | $125,000 |
Reviewer training & stipends | Training for 250–300 reviewers; stipends for educators on HQIM and standards review panels | $120,000 |
Drafting, editing, publication preparation | Final editing, accessibility remediation, graphic/layout design, digital repository development | $75,000 |
Internal coordination & project management | 1.0 FTE across Governance, Assessment, & Academics for multi-content coordination | $180,000 |
FY 2027 Total | $1,300,000 | |
FY 2028 | ||
Cost Category | Description | Estimated Cost |
Assessment alignment (RSA 193-C) | Test blueprint revisions, item development, validation, psychometrics, vendor contract modifications | $500,000 to |
Additional stakeholder review | Final hearings, public comment integration, advisory review | $40,000 |
Final publication and dissemination | Digital/print publication, distribution, and required district guidance | $35,000 |
Technical assistance for districts | Transition guidance, webinars, HQIM alignment support | $50,000 |
FY 2028 Total | $625,000 to | |
FY 2029 | ||
Cost Category | Description | Estimated Cost |
Instructional leadership coaching & district support | Coaching for district curriculum leaders, principals, and teacher-leaders to support transition | $250,000 |
Monitoring, data collection & evaluation | Fidelity monitoring, research partner support, evaluation of implementation impact, reporting | $150,000 |
Professional learning modules & PD rollout | Statewide PD series, asynchronous modules, educator-facilitator accreditation, regional support | $200,000 |
FY 2029 Total | $600,000 | |
This bill appropriates $1 in each FY 2027 and FY 2028.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education