This bill proposes the appropriation of $1,000,000 from the education trust fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The funds are designated for the purpose of awarding incentive grants to school districts that demonstrate measurable improvements in standardized mathematics test scores. The new section, RSA 193-C:13, outlines that the commissioner of education will award grants not exceeding $50,000 to qualifying districts, with criteria established to account for factors such as grade level and school size. If more than 20 districts qualify in the first year, the awards will be prorated. The funds will not lapse and will remain available until awarded.

Additionally, the bill amends RSA 198:39 to include a new subparagraph (o), which allows for the distribution of these education achievement incentive grants. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The fiscal impact indicates that while the total expenditure for the grants is indeterminable, it will not exceed $1,000,000, and the Department of Education will require a part-time position to administer the program at an estimated cost of $60,000 per year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 198:39
HB750 text: 198:39