State Representative Dan McGuire (R-Epsom) urges public support for House Bill 283, a measure that prioritizes student success in reading, writing, and math by removing excessive state mandates. While Democrats falsely claim this bill cancels curriculum and cuts funding, the reality is that it gives local educators the freedom to focus on improving core subjects.
“New Hampshire students are falling behind in basic skills like reading, writing and arithmetic, yet schools are bogged down by rigid mandates that limit their ability to address the problem,” said Rep. McGuire. “HB283 empowers educators to focus on what matters most—ensuring students can read, write, and do math at proficient levels.”
Test results from the Department of Education show unacceptably low proficiency rates. HB283 allows districts to strategically allocate effort and energy where they are needed most without unnecessary state interference.
What HB283 Does:
- Refocuses education on core skills critical for success like reading, writing, and arithmetic.
- Eliminates bureaucratic red tape, letting educators prioritize real learning needs, circumventing mandates for poorly prioritized curriculum.
- Strengthens local control, allowing schools and educators, not the state, to decide the best approach for their students.
“Student proficiency in reading, writing, and arithmetic—the foundation of all learning—is critically low. Yet, schools are required to spread their limited resources and time across a long list of mandates, making it harder to address the core problem.” McGuire said. “Let’s fix the foundation before decorating the house.”