Adequacy school aid bill gets Senate support

Filed under: General — shadow @ 11:02 am

May 30, 2007

CONCORD The Senate Education Committee heard strong support Tuesday for adding six new elements to the House definition of an adequate education: teachers; class size; kindergarten; support services such as nursing, special education and guidance; staff training; and library facilities and learning technology.

Needy schools that merit “enhanced” support would get experienced teachers, small class sizes and a full day of kindergarten.

Both versions of House Bill 927 recognize a core curriculum the state must pay for, including English and language arts, math, science, social studies, the arts, world languages, health, gym and technology education.

The Senate amendment sponsored by Sen. Iris Estabrook, D-Durham, sets up a commission to issue a report by Feb. 1 next year on the cost of an adequate education. The Legislature would have until June 30, 2008, to approve a plan to deal out that money based on the differing needs of students and schools. Full Story