The New Hampshire senate gave preliminary approval to a school accountability plan. Supporters say the bill is needed to ensure the state doesn’t lose federal education funds under the no child left behind act. But critics worry the bill might raise more problems that it solves.
Under the legislation, students would be required to read at grade level by the third grade…… Schools would need to show yearly progress on state assessment tests……and meet retention and graduation goals. Successful schools would be recognized, and underperforming would have to come up with a plan for improvement. According to lead sponsor, State Senator Jane O’Hearn, the bill does a good job of serving many masters.
"This legislation will ensure that our schools are doing their part in education our children. And will allow us to praise schools that are deserving and target resources to schools that need them. This approach addresses the court’s expectation as ruled in the Claremont cases as well as NCLB."
But according to critics…..which include all senate democrats, the bill as amended is frought with potential peril. Senate Minority leader Sylvia Larsen.
"The language of this amendment is very worrisome in that there is a concern that we are rushing to an unfunded mandate. We are also perhaps setting a new standard of adequacy that can then be used to challenge whether school districts are in fact performing, and providing an adequate education."
Larsen says this law could be a backdoor definition of an adequate education. If that’s the case, the state would be required to pay for whatever it takes for a school to perform at that minimum level. That concern is one reason why lawmakers on both sides of the asile believe the bill will get a through going over by the finance committee. District 20 Democrat Lou D’Alessandro.
"This bill is going to go to finance. It will be addressed by the finance committee. As I say everybody wants accountability. It’s how we gets there that’s the problem. And that’s the decision when the money comes into play."
The Senate has until April 10th to work on the bill. Under No Child left behind states must submit a school accountability program by May.
