This bill mandates that all students, including those in public, nonpublic, and all other learning environments, must participate in standardized statewide assessments. The assessments are to be administered at least once in elementary, middle, and high school, specifically in English/language arts, reading, and mathematics. The bill introduces changes to RSA 193-C:6, which include the requirement for home educated students and private schools to contact their local school districts or the Department of Education, respectively, to participate in the statewide assessment. Previously, participation for these groups was optional, as indicated by the deletion of the word "may" and the insertion of "shall." Additionally, the bill stipulates that assessment results will not be included in a student's transcript without consent, and provides for alternative educational activities for students exempted from the assessment.

The fiscal note attached to the bill indicates that there will be no impact on state revenue, but there will be an increase in state expenditures starting from FY 2025, estimated at $2,565,446 and increasing slightly each year thereafter. The additional costs are associated with the inclusion of non-public and home educated students in the state assessment system, as well as the need for administrative, technical, and professional support for these schools. The Department of Education estimates the need for three new positions to support the implementation of the bill, as well as $2,000,000 per year for an outside contractor to modify data collection and reporting structures. The bill does not provide funding or authorization for these new positions or the contractor expenses. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 193-C:6