TECHNICAL ADVISORY

This Technical Advisory continues the New Hampshire Department of Education’s  communication regarding new legislation, which was passed during the 2021-2022  legislative session. HB 1671 amends RSA 193-E:2-a, I, which pertains to the  requirements for an adequate education.

During the 2021-2022 legislative session, HB 1671 was passed into law, amending RSA 193-E:2- a, I, which is specific to the delivery of an opportunity for an adequate education. The new  legislation clarifies the pre-existing criteria of what constitutes an adequate education and adds  personal finance literacy as a new stand-alone subject requirement. HB 1671 became  effective August 23, 2022, however, the requirement for personal finance literacy becomes  applicable for the 2023-2024 academic year. Pursuant to HB 1671, the Department of Education  will undertake administrative rulemaking to bring Ed 306—the Minimum Standards for School  Approval—into compliance with the new law.

The subject areas which comprise an adequate education are now as follows—the areas which  have been modified by HB 1671 are in bold and italics and will be discussed below in more depth:  

• English/language arts and reading;

• Mathematics;

• Science;

• Social studies, including civics, government, economics, geography, history, and  Holocaust and genocide education;

• Arts education, including music and visual arts;

• World languages;

• Health and wellness education, including a policy for violations of providing tobacco  products to individuals under the age of 21 in violation of RSA 126-K:8, I(a); • Physical education;

• Engineering and technologies including technology applications;

• Personal finance literacy;

• Computer science;

Social Studies—

The course of “social studies” has been further detailed as its individual areas of study that include  civics, government, economics, geography, history, and Holocaust and genocide education. It is  worth noting that RSA 189:11 already requires courses in the instruction of the history,

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government, and constitutions of the US and New Hampshire. In accordance with RSA 189:11, this course of instruction must also include the following areas:

• Opportunities and responsibilities for civic involvement.

• Skills to effectively participate in civic affairs.

• The U.S. Constitution and the principles stated in the Articles and Amendments of the  U.S. Constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of the United  States.

• The New Hampshire constitution and the principles stated in the articles of the New  Hampshire constitution that provide the foundation for the democratic government of New  Hampshire.

• The structure and functions of the 3 branches comprising federal and state governments:  legislative, judicial, and executive.

• The role, opportunities, and responsibilities of a citizen to engage in civic activity. • The role and interactions of the state of New Hampshire and local governments within the  framework of the U.S. Constitution and of extended powers and functions provided to  local governments.

• How federal, state, and local governments address problems and issues by making  decisions, creating laws, enforcing regulations, and taking action.

• The role and actions of government in the flow of economic activity and the regulation of  monetary policy.

• How intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism, and national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred and  discrimination have evolved in the past, and can evolve, into genocide and mass violence,  such as the Holocaust, and how to prevent the evolution of such practices.

Additionally, the Board of Education recently adopted rules, Ed 306.49, which is relative to a  Holocaust and Genocide Education Program. Therefore, districts should currently have most, if  not all, of these instruction areas currently incorporated into the pre-existing social studies course  of instruction. However, in anticipation of the upcoming rule change in accordance with HB 1671,  school districts should review the current social studies course of instruction to ensure that it covers  all areas enumerated.

Arts Education—

Arts education now includes music and visual arts. Similar to the explanation above with social  studies instruction, districts should take this opportunity to review the current arts education course  to ensure compliance with the new law.

Health and Wellness—

Pursuant to HB 1671, health education has now been expanded to be health and wellness  education, to include a policy for violations of RSA 126-K:8, I(a). That law provides as follows:

No person shall sell, give, or furnish tobacco products, e-cigarettes, or e-liquid to a person  who has not attained 21 years of age who has a note from an adult requesting such sale,  gift, or delivery. Tobacco products, e-cigarettes, or e-liquid shall only be delivered to a

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person who provides an identification as enumerated in RSA 126-K:3 establishing that the  person has attained 21 years of age.

Engineering and technologies including technology applications—

Instruction on engineering and technologies now includes technology applications. As stated  above, districts should take this opportunity to review the current course in this area to ensure  compliance with HB 1671.

Personal Finance Literacy—

Unlike the other learning areas enumerated in HB 1671, the new learning area of personal finance  literacy is not applicable until the 2023-2024 school year. As stated above, the Department will  be undertaking rulemaking to bring the Minimum Standards, Ed 306, into compliance with the  new requirements of HB 1671. Therefore, districts should have guidance on what constitutes a  personal finance literacy course prior to the start of the 2023-2024 academic school year.  

However, it is worth noting that HB 1263, which was also passed this legislative session, amended  RSA 189:10 to require that personal finance literacy be taught as part of the basic curriculum.  Under RSA 189:10, personal finance literacy instruction must be designed to prepare students for  success in making financial decisions. Furthermore, the personal finance literacy skills may be  embedded into an existing course or grade level program of studies. This new requirement  pursuant to HB 1263, became effective on July 26, 2022 and is applicable to the current academic  year (2022-2023). As such, school districts should anticipate that there might be some necessary  adjustment from how the personal finance literacy course requirement is fulfilled between the  current academic year and the following academic year.

Computer Science—

Under the prior version of RSA 193-E:2-a, computer science and digital literacy were a course of  instruction. HB 1671 amends it to make computer science a stand-alone course. However, the  new law provides that digital literacy is a skill that can be integrated into the enumerated learning  areas.  

HB 1671 became effective August 23, 2022.  

For questions related to this Technical Advisory, please contact:  

Dr. Nate Greene

Bureau Administrator, Educational Opportunities

Tel: 603-271-5252

Email: Nathaniel.T.Greene@doe.nh.gov