Governor and Executive Council Agenda item PDF - 2026-05-20 - agenda 1

Meeting Date

2026-05-20

Attachment Kind Label

Agenda item PDF

Attachment Relation

primary_meeting_attachment

Agenda Numbers

1

Agency Names

Department Of Natural & Cultural Resources

Parent Meeting Title

Governor and Executive Council meeting - 2026-05-20

Caitlin D. Davis Richard K. Sala

Commissioner Deputy Commissioner

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

25 Hall Street

Concord, N.H. 03301

March 11, 2026

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte

and the Honorable Council

State House

Concord, New Hampshire 03301

REQUESTED ACTION

For inclusion on the Consent Calendar. Pursuant to MOP 1200, I.D., authorize the Department of

Education to pay the Assessing Special Education Students (ASES) collaborative, Chief of State

School Officers (VC#170715) Washington, DC, the amount of $13,421 for the FY27 membership

dues effective upon Governor and Council approval for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30,

2027. 100% Federal Funds

Funds are available in the following account for Fiscal Year 2027 as follows:

06-56-56-567010-30590000 Assessment & Accountability

Fiscal Year Class/Account Class Title Total Amount

2027 026-500251 Organizational Dues $13,421

EXPLANATION

The Assessing Special Education Students (ASES) Collaborative supports states in strengthening

their assessment, accountability, and instructional systems to ensure full participation of students

with disabilities. This national collaborative convenes experts from state education agencies,

industry, and higher education to identify challenges and develop solutions that advance inclusive

policy and practice. New Hampshire’s Alternate and English Language Proficiency Assessment

Specialist is an active participant and plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with state and

federal assessment requirements for students with disabilities.

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte

and the Honorable Council

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide nonprofit

organization representing public officials who lead elementary and secondary education across all

U.S. states and jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on

major education issues and serves as a key forum for collaboration and consensus-building among

states.

Listed below are answers to standard questions required for Governor and Council organization

dues and membership approval submissions:

1. How long has this organization been in existence and how long has this agency been a member

of this organization?

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) was established in 1927 and

incorporated in 1948. New Hampshire has maintained membership since 1948.

2. Is there any other organization which provides the same or similar benefits which your agency

belongs to?

No.

3. How many other states belong to this organization and is your agency the sole New Hampshire

agency that is a member?

All 50 states and the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Education Activity,

Bureau of Indian Education, and five U.S. territories belong to the organization. The New

Hampshire Department of Education is the sole state agency within New Hampshire

eligible for membership.

4. How is the dues structure established? (Standard fee for all states, based on population,

based on other criteria, etc.)

Dues are based on a sliding scale calculated on the combined total of state and local

expenditures for elementary and secondary education.

5. What benefit does the state receive from participating in this membership?

Membership provides New Hampshire with:

• Travel support for national meetings

• Access to national and international experts

• Technical assistance on federal education law implementation, including ESSA and IDEA

• Opportunities to collaborate with peer states

• Access to guidance documents, webinars, and best practices

6. Are training or educational/research materials included in the membership? If so, is the cost

included? Explain in detail.

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte

and the Honorable Council

Yes, membership includes access to research, tools, and professional development at no

additional cost. These resources are delivered through webinars, in-person sessions,

newsletters, and an online resource library.

7. Is the membership required to receive any federal grants or required in order to receive or

participate in licensing or certification exams? Explain.

No. However, without this membership, the Department would need to independently

procure comparable research, technical assistance, and collaboration opportunities

currently provided through CCSSO to participate in federal grant programs.

8. Is there any travel included with this membership fee? Explain in detail any travel to include the

number of employees involved, the number of trips, destination if known, and purposes of

membership supported trips.

Yes. Membership covers travel expenses for the Assessment Administrator to

attend ASES Collaborative meetings during FY 27.

9. Which state agency employees are directly involved with this organization? (Indicate if they are

members, voting members, committee members, and/or officers of the organization.)

The Commissioner of Education is a voting member of the organization. The Deputy

Commissioner, state education agency federal liaison, and state education agency

communications directors also receive direct support as part of membership, as well as

the Assessment Administrator.

10. Explain in detail any negative impact to the State if the Agency did not belong to this

organization.

Without participation in the ASES Collaborative, the Department would lose timely access

to specialized research, policy analysis, and technical assistance related to federal

assessment and accountability requirements, particularly for students with disabilities.

The Department would also lose a key mechanism for direct collaboration with peer states

and national experts, reducing its ability to respond efficiently to federal policy changes,

implement best practices, and ensure high-quality assessment systems.

Respectfully submitted,

Caitlin D. Davis

Commissioner of Education

INVOICE

Council of Chief State School Officers

INVOICE #: INV-00687

DATE: 03/10/2026

DUE DATE: 04/09/2026

1 Massachusetts Ave NW, Ste 800

Washington, DC 20001-1406

Phone: 202-336-7000

accounting@ccsso.org

TOTAL AMOUNT: $13,421.00

TOTAL DUE: $13,421.00

BILL

TO:

New Hampshire Department of Education

25 Hall Street

Concord, NH 03301

DESCRIPTION / MEMO AMOUNT

ASES FY27 (7/1/26 - 6/30/27) $13,421.00

TOTAL AMOUNT: $13,421.00

TOTAL DUE: $13,421.00

────────────────────────────────

AMOUNT ENCLOSED:

Invoice #: INV-00687

BILL

TO:

New Hampshire Department of Education

25 Hall Street

Concord, NH 03301 REMIT

TO:

Council of Chief State School

Officers

PO Box 786261

Philadelphia, PA 19178-6261