This bill mandates that records of educational attainment for students enrolled in the education freedom account (EFA) program be reported to the Department of Education. It amends RSA 194-F:3, III(d)(3) to require that students either take a nationally standardized achievement test or the statewide student assessment test, with results to be reported to the department. Additionally, it introduces a requirement for maintaining a portfolio that adheres to a rubric established by the Department, which includes various educational materials and assessments. The bill also stipulates that a certified teacher must evaluate the student's progress based on the portfolio and report their findings to the department.

Furthermore, the bill directs the Division of Learner Support within the Department of Education to develop and maintain a rubric for evaluating these educational portfolios, which will assess various competencies and learning outcomes. The division is also tasked with analyzing and compiling data from the reports to determine academic proficiency rates among EFA participants, categorized by graduation rate, grade level, gender, race, and differentiated aid categories. The bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions, but it is estimated to incur costs related to personnel and data system upgrades in the following fiscal years.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 194-F:3, 21-N:6
HB1716 text: 194-F:3, 21-N:6