The Science in Education Act seeks to establish and enforce "evidence-based" methods in public education and teacher preparation programs in New Hampshire. The bill defines "evidence-based" to exclude subjective measurements such as surveys, requiring that methods be reproducible in well-designed studies. It mandates that all public education delivery methods, including educator training and policies, adhere to these standards within a three-year compliance timeline for post-secondary teacher preparation programs. The bill also outlines penalties for non-compliance, which may include notifications, conditional approvals, probationary statuses, and potential loss of accreditation.

To ensure compliance, the bill empowers the Department of Education to conduct on-site audits of educator preparation programs and implement an appeals process for institutions found non-compliant. It requires transparency regarding the use of the term "evidence-based" and mandates disclaimers for any non-compliant usage. The Department is tasked with adopting necessary rules for implementation and providing training for reviewers to ensure consistent evaluations. Additionally, the bill indicates the need for an additional education consultant III position, with associated costs, although it does not provide funding for this position. Local school districts may also incur costs for new curriculum materials, which are currently indeterminable.

Statutes affected:
HB1545 text: 21-N:9