Governor Lynch Urges House Education Committee to Support Legislation Defining An Adequate Education

Governor Lynch Urges House Education Committee to Support Legislation Defining An Adequate Education

Gov. John Lynch today urged the House Education Committee to support a comprehensive definition of an adequate education. The legislation, HB 927, sponsored by a group of bi-partisan lawmakers, is based on New Hampshire's existing school approval standards and curriculum frameworks.

Gov. Lynch worked with the bi-partisan coalition of lawmakers and officials from the state departments of Education and Justice to develop the definition.

"As a State, we have a moral and constitutional responsibility for public education. We must educate all our children so they become responsible citizens, meaningfully participate in our democracy, and have the opportunities they deserve to live full and productive lives," Gov. Lynch said. "I ask for your support for HB 927, which meets our obligation to define an adequate education."

In September, the state Supreme Court directed the legislature to define an adequate education by June 30.

Under the proposal, an adequate education in New Hampshire is defined as an education in grammar, middle school and high school and is based on the existing state curriculum frameworks and school approval standards. The subject matters of English/language arts and reading, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, world languages, technology, health and physical education are included in the proposed definition.

For example, the definition ensures that students will have the opportunity to study in a wide range of areas such as physics, biology, chemistry, state, world and U.S. history, economics, technology, world literature, writing, public speaking, algebra, geometry, advanced mathematics, world languages, music, visual arts, health, and physical education.

"The state has never before identified these essential programs as constituting an adequate education. It represents an important step forward," Gov. Lynch said.

Representatives Emma Rous and Nancy Stiles and Senators Joe Foster and Bob Odell are sponsors of the legislation.

"As the father of three children in the Nashua public schools, I recognize that we need not reinvent the wheel to find the best approach to meet our constitutional obligations," Sen. Foster said. "This proposal builds on the educational assets that already exist in New Hampshire policy. The definition not only offers our children an education in reading, writing and arithmetic but offers broad exposure to the varied educational opportunities that are essential for success in today's complex world."

"It is a definition of adequacy that offers broad exposure to the varied educational opportunities that are essential in today's world. That is what this definition will ensure," Gov. Lynch said.

http://www.nh.gov/governor/news/2007/030807education.html