This bill amends the existing law regarding literacy skill development in elementary grades within school districts and chartered public schools. The amendment specifies that, beginning July 1, 2027, these educational institutions must provide measurable, evidence-based instruction in literacy for all students through grade 5. The instruction must include explicit, systematic teaching in phonemic awareness, phonics (both decoding and encoding of sounds and words), fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing (including grammar and mechanics), speaking, listening, mathematics reasoning, and mathematics calculation (including fluency). The goal is to ensure that all instruction is designed to help students achieve grade-level literacy and to cater to each student's needs and abilities as established by the state board of education's minimum standards for New Hampshire public elementary schools.

The bill includes several insertions and deletions to the current law. Notably, it expands the grade level for literacy skill development from grade 3 to grade 5 and adds chartered public schools to the entities required to provide this instruction. It also replaces the term "child" with "student" and emphasizes the need for instruction to be evidence-based and measurable. Additionally, the bill includes a broader range of literacy and mathematics skills that must be taught. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an approved date of May 31, 2024, and an effective date of July 30, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189:53
As Amended by the House: 189:53
Version adopted by both bodies: 189:53
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 189:53