Jeffry Beard

The New Hampshire State Board of Education meeting included discussions on various topics. The Council for Teacher Education (CTE) addressed a request for a one-year extension for approved educator preparation programs at Granite State College and the University of New Hampshire due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. There were also charter school reports and updates, specifically regarding six-month charter extensions for Compass Classical Academy Charter School and North Country Charter Academy, also in response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Additionally, the agenda covered a commissioner's update and several items under the consent agenda, including adopting confidentiality and record retention policies, final proposals for educator endorsements and credential renewals, and emergency rules for alternative pathways and special education teachers.

The meeting addressed several key issues, including concerns about COVID-19 transmission and the implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Behavior (MTSSB) in schools. The board discussed an emergency rule amendment to provide schools with flexibility during closures. The 2020 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year and finalists were introduced, who shared insights on robotics, teacher support, and student-teacher mentoring relationships. The board also considered the approval of Squall Point for attendance purposes, a new nonpublic school. Additionally, there were discussions on substantive changes and expiration date requests for educator preparation programs at New England College (NEC), Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), and Hellenic American University (HAU). The board also reviewed the annual public charter school progress report summary and addressed issues related to Capital City Public Charter School's first-year program audit.

The meeting included discussions and actions on various topics such as the conditional approval response for Visual Arts Teacher Interim, renewal of the Arts Academy of New Hampshire, amendments of the Founders Academy Charter of Public Schools charter, amendment of the Academy for Science and Design School charter, amendment of the Seacoast Classical Academy Charter Public School charter, new Learn Everywhere Program application for the UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center, new Learn Everywhere Program application for the Laconia Flight Academy/Sky Bright Aviation center. The board also discussed the initial proposal for School Nurse, final proposal for Criminal History Record Checks, final proposal for Investigations and Disciplinary Procedures, final proposal for Computer Science Teacher, and adopt Visual Arts Teacher Interim. Commissioner Frank Edelblut mentioned that a contract was awarded to Discovery Education and that New Hampshire ranks first in the nation for the percentage of Advanced Placement exams taken.

The New Hampshire State Board of Education convened a meeting to discuss several key items. Legislative updates were provided, including a conditional approval response for school building construction and an update on the public hearing date for remote instruction. Public hearings were held for vocational rehabilitation programs and the robotics education fund. Updates from the Council for Teacher Education included discussions on Southern New Hampshire University's amendment to a recent substantive change and Plymouth State University's program reviews and approvals. The board also addressed nonpublic school approvals, charter school reports and updates, and the Commissioner's update on various initiatives, including school re-engagement in September and the School Transition Reopening and Redesign Taskforce. Open board discussions covered vocational rehabilitation programs, robotics fund eligibility, and annual progress reports for charter schools.

The agenda includes a student-led tour and presentations, public comment, and a consent agenda. The board will discuss legislative issues and rules, specifically an update on a preliminary objection regarding certification standards for educators. Reports and updates will be given on teacher education programs at New England College and Plymouth State University, as well as a charter school update. The agenda also includes board discussions, old business, and a nonpublic session.