NH School Scoop April 22, 2025
Autism rates increase, NH educators fight to continue receiving federal funding, ERIC bids farewell, and the state education legislation train keeps on a-moving.
Front Page
🧩 Data is showing that the incidence of autism has increased to one in 31 children, up from one in 36 in 2022. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says that his department will shift its autism research focus to environmental factors. RFK Jr., who has no research experience, believes that environmental factors cause autism.
🤝 As we have reported, not only has the Trump Administration ordered the end to what they call “DEI practices” from occurring in your schools, but to continue receiving federal funding, the USDOE is requiring building principals to certify compliance with the Feds’ wishes. NH educators are leading the fight against the USDOE in this matter. Judge Landya McCafferty is asking for more information from federal attorneys about what exactly would be prohibited.
🔍 One of the DOGE cuts to the USDOE has been the elimination of the Education Resources Information Center, better known as ERIC, a free research database facilitated by the USDOE and accessed by 14 million people per year. On the other hand, it appears that the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will continue, but is pared down dramatically thanks to DOGE cuts. (Potential paywall.)
📜 Significant federal education news can dominate the news cycle, but there’s important state legislation on tap as well:
SB 204 would allow more lower-income students to receive a discount on school meals. This bill has bipartisan support.
SB 295 greatly increases the number of eligible students for Education Freedom Accounts.
NH educators have a code of conduct. If HB 235 makes it through its process, educators will have a responsibility in the code to students and parents.
HB 231 was passed overwhelmingly by the Senate, requiring districts to create policies prohibiting transporting students to non-emergency medical facilities without parental consent. The trigger for this legislation was the transportation of an 18-year-old student by a private school teacher to receive an abortion. (Thanks to the Keene Sentinel.)
HB 268 would allow schools and other public institutions to limit transgender persons access to bathrooms. The Weare School Board is dealing with a parent protest over a trans issue in their middle school.
🎯 Extra Credit:
Congrats to the Henry W. Moore School, which has been named the 2025 NH K-8 School of Excellence. (Thanks to the Union Leader)
Student choice in education can go in many directions. One example is the Lakes Region School Consortium, which allows students from member districts to enroll in courses throughout the consortium. The list of towns could grow, and now includes Merrimack Valley, Belmont, Moultonborough, Winnisquam, Gilford, Laconia, Newfound, and Franklin. (Thanks to the Concord Monitor.)
Students can have real power to make change in education. How about 17-year-old Laconia High School Senior Brenden Schofield, who led the return of lacrosse to his school?
Talk about an innovative senior project for Coe-Brown student Matty Flanagan: starting a basketball camp in the Philippines.
A lawsuit claims that New England international students should not have their immigration status revoked by federal officials.
Accepted students day at Plymouth State University (PSU) was especially joyful for Belmont High School Senior Riley Pinard. The Make-A-Wish foundation granted her a $10,000 scholarship to PSU .
Thanks to the NH Department of Education (NHED), NH educators have free access to Data Studio, a program that provides an overview of student performance across a range of metrics. You can register for training today using this link.
NHED is also offering the literacy training program LTRS Phase 6 to all NH educators. The program has 100 slots, and you can register right here.
Congrats to six NH high school seniors, selected as semifinalists for the US Presidential Scholars Program.
Also, congratulations to statewide winners Stephen Mingo-Timmins (plumbing) and Jacob Kaempfer (construction) who will compete for top prizes at the national SkillsUSA convention in Atlanta in June.
The bottom line? Get children reading. That’s why educators in New Durham encourage “Hooked on Comics.”
NH lost a pioneer technology educator on April 12, as long-time Deerfield elementary educator Maria Knee passed away at the age of 75. Maria inspired a generation of educators to use technology in the classroom.
Manchester School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Chmiel is calling for the removal of 38 faculty and staff positions from the district based on the Mayor’s budget recommendations. Meanwhile, many parents and teachers are speaking up in opposition to the cuts.
📖 Picks of the Week:
While the Trump Administration is eliminating funding for climate change education, some educators are trying to keep that message alive.
Are you wondering how cell-phone bans are working across the country? Check out this Substack.
Podcasts have never been more popular. And, there are several that are highly educational and appropriate for elementary students and teens.
