Update on HB 323, the Waiver Bill

The NH senate once again rescheduled HB 323 to the following session. It is now on the calendar for Thursday, May 21, 2015.

This bill has been very hotly debated and multiple efforts have been made to “fix” it. Thankfully, we have a good amendment submitted by Sen. Jeb Bradley, #2015-1752s.

This amendment removes the problematic language and tightens it to specifically allow only the SAT and ACT as alternative assessments for grade 11. This should satisfy district superintendents without giving undefined authority to the state Department of Education.

Although the SAT is not a great option, it is much better than the Smarter Balanced Assessment. It will be aligned to Common Core effective Spring 2016, but it is not an integrated assessment like PACE, and parents can still refuse participation, although it is less likely for their college-bound students. It also respects local control.

This is a big step forward and should be supported. We appreciate the senate’s willingness to address parents’ concerns and find an acceptable resolution.

Please contact the NH senate before Wednesday, thanking them for their efforts and to urge their support of the Bradley amendment, #1752s.

We will again gather outside the senate chamber on the second floor of the State House on Thursday morning at 9:15am. We want to encourage the senators in their latest efforts to support parents’ rights and local control. The session begins at 10:00am, and our bill should be early in the agenda. Please join us.

To find your NH senator, and his or her contact information, refer to the senate’s roster page, or you can email all of them at senators@leg.state.nh.us.

Jeff Woodburn — District 1, Dalton
Jeff.Woodburn@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-3207

Jeanie Forrester — District 2, Meredith
jeanie.forrester@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-4980

Jeb Bradley — District 3, Wolfeboro
jeb.bradley@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-2106

David Watters — District 4, Dover
david.watters@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-8631

David Pierce — District 5, Lebanon
david.pierce@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-3067

Sam Cataldo — District 6, Farmington
sam.cataldo@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-4063

Andrew Hosmer — District 7, Laconia
andrew.hosmer@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-8631

Gerald Little — District 8, Weare
Jerry.Little@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-4151

Andy Sanborn — District 9, Bedford
andy.sanborn@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-2609

Molly Kelly — District 10, Keene
molly.kelly@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-3207

Gary Daniels — District 11, Milford
Gary.Daniels@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-2609

Kevin Avard — District 12, Nashua
Kevin.Avard@.leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-4151

Bette Lasky — District 13, Nashua
bette.lasky@leg.state.nh.us (603)271-3091

Sharon Carson — District 14, Londonderry
sharon.carson@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-1403

Dan Feltes — District 15, Concord
Dan.Feltes@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-3067

David Boutin — District 16, Hooksett/Manchester
dboutin1465@comcast.net
(603)271-3092

John Reagan  — District 17, Deerfield
john.reagan111@gmail.com
(603)271-4063

Donna Soucy — District 18, Manchester
donna.soucy@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-3207

Regina Birdsell — District 19, Hampstead/Windham/Derry
Regina.Birdsell@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-4151

Lou D’Allesandro — District 20, Manchester
dalas@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-2117

Martha Fuller Clark — District 21, Portsmouth
martha.fullerclark@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-3076

Chuck Morse —  District 22, Salem
chuck.morse@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-8472

Russell Prescott — District 23, Kingston
represcott@represcott.com
(603)271-3074

 Nancy Stiles — District 24, Hampton
nancy.stiles@leg.state.nh.us
(603)271-3093