This bill establishes a new grant program aimed at supporting school districts facing extraordinary needs and fiscal capacity disparities in providing adequate education. It introduces a new section, RSA 198:42-a, which outlines the framework for the Education Grant Program. The program will provide funding assistance to eligible K-12 school districts, allowing them to utilize grant funds in a manner that best addresses their local educational needs without restrictions on specific groups. School districts receiving these grants must submit a detailed plan to the Department of Education, identifying essential programs and accountability indicators, and demonstrating how the funds will contribute to academic growth and achievement.

Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts use statewide assessments or develop their own standardized assessments to measure progress attributable to the grant funds. An annual accountability progress report must be submitted to the Department of Education, and grant funds may be withheld until compliance with reporting requirements is achieved. The bill also allows the state board of education to adopt rules for implementation. Notably, the bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions, but it does indicate potential costs associated with monitoring and reviewing accountability plans, estimated at $120,000 in FY 2028 and $123,000 in FY 2029. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2027.