RSA 193-C:8-a · Legislative Oversight Committee

193-C:8-a Legislative Oversight Committee. –

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I.

(a) It is the duty and policy of the state of New Hampshire that public elementary and secondary education shall provide all students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them for successful participation in the social, economic, scientific, technological, and political systems of a free government, now and in the years to come, regardless of where the students live.

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(b)

Respecting New Hampshire's long tradition of community involvement, appropriate means are established to provide an adequate education through an integrated system of shared responsibility between state and local government. In this system, the state establishes minimum standards for public school approval and academic standards for delivery of educational services at the local level. School districts then have the responsibility and flexibility in implementing diverse educational approaches to instruction and curriculum tailored to meet student needs.

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(c)

New Hampshire's long history of authorizing local governments in the form of local districts, to develop and administer public schools pursuant to a set of minimum standards established by the state has successfully achieved, on average across the state, high quality educational outcomes.

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II.

An oversight committee shall be established consisting of:

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(a)

Five members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

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(b)

One member of the senate, appointed by the senate president.

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III.

The first meeting of the oversight committee shall be at the call of the first named house member. The first order of business shall be for the members to elect a chair. The members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to duties of the committee.

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IV.

The legislative oversight committee shall:

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(a)

Review the development and implementation of the school performance and accountability program set forth in RSA 193-H to ensure compliance with state and federal law. Implementation of the program shall be in conjunction with the committee's review.

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(b)

Review the provisions of RSA 193-H and submit a report of such review annually to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the governor, and the chairpersons of the house and senate education committees.

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(c)

Propose legislation that is needed as a result of the review of the progress and results of the policies implemented under this chapter and under RSA 193-H, including any changes necessitated by federal law.

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(d)

Confer with the commissioner and the state board of education to identify operational principles which should guide the work of the department of education in supporting improved school performance and accountability.

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(e)

Analyze existing department of education programs and initiatives which support improved school performance and accountability.

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(f)

Receive reports from the commissioner regarding the status of public education in New Hampshire, updates on the improvement made by local school districts toward achieving satisfactory progress in statewide student performance under RSA 193-H:2 and status reports on the on-going issues and implications of school accountability at the state and federal level. Reports by the commissioner shall occur at least once annually or more frequently as needed, as determined by the committee and the commissioner.

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(g)

Review and approve statewide performance targets required under RSA 193-H:2 developed by the department of education and recommended to the legislative oversight committee by the state board of education.

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(h)

Receive reports from the state board of education including rules recommended by the department to be adopted by the state board of education under RSA 541-A relative to statewide performance targets required under RSA 193-H:2. The legislative oversight committee shall propose legislation to be submitted to establish such statewide performance targets in state statute during the legislative session following the approval of any recommendations which the state board of education is required to make.

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(i)

Review the unique pupil identification system established in RSA 193-E:5 and propose legislation needed as a result of the review.

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(j)

Review the implementation and results of the program relative to accountability for the opportunity for an adequate education established in RSA 193-E, consult and receive reports on such program, evaluate and review existing and emergent performance-based measurement tools, and propose legislation for improvements to the accountability program, as necessary.

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(k)

Receive security breach reports from the department of education pursuant to RSA 189:66, consult with the commissioner of the department of information technology, and propose legislation needed as a result of the review.

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(l)

Review and make recommendations relating to academic standards under consideration by the state board of education pursuant to RSA 193-E:2-a, IV(c), and the minimum standards for public school approval under consideration by the state board of education pursuant to RSA 193-E:2-a, IV(a). Source. 2022, 109:1, eff. July 26, 2022. 2024, 115:1, eff. Sept. 1, 2024.

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