New Hampshire lawmakers are considering legislation to allow part-time, uncertified teachers in the classroom.
The bill would eliminate New Hampshire State Board of Education licensing requirements for any person working less than 30 hours a week, who can also pass a criminal-background check.
Deb Howes, president of the American Federation of Teachers-New Hampshire, said students and teachers deserve better.
"What this said to all of my members who are hardworking, professional educators is that some people in the Legislature think we are disposable," Howes asserted.
Supporters of the bill said the move is needed to help alleviate a statewide teacher shortage, particularly in smaller districts. Howes countered lawmakers should focus instead on improving teacher pay and ensuring schools have the resources they need.
Supporters of public education in New Hampshire argued the bill is just the latest attempt to undermine their schools. They pointed to lawmakers increasing support for private school vouchers and control the teaching of American history.
Susan Dromey Heeter, a high school teacher in Rochester, said teaching is a specialized skill requiring training. She pointed out she has seen plenty of people with good intentions try to teach, and fail spectacularly.
"They have no idea how to navigate children, no idea how to manage a classroom, no idea how challenging this job is," Heeter observed. "Ultimately, that will affect the children, and you know, that's not OK."
Heeter laid much of the blame for what she called the "dumbing down" of public education on Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, who was appointed despite a lack of education experience. He and other lawmakers said the bill aims to give school districts more flexibility and allow school boards to hire those they see as qualified to do the job.
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A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom.
The bill, which narrowly cleared the Senate last week, also contains provisions that would require the Ten Commandments be taught in civics classes.
Opponents say the mandate crosses the line when it comes to separation of church and state. In the recent debate, state Sen. Stephanie Sauder, R-Bryant, a former teacher, said her biggest issue was the loss of local control.
"This bill, which will remove the school's freedom of choice to decide what's best for their students and their district," said Sauder, "and it'll also take away a parent's freedom to challenge the decision."
Sauder voted against the measure, which ended up passing in the Senate by a single vote. Backers of the bill say it's an important part of learning U.S. history, but opponents such as Sauder say current teaching already makes mention of the commandments when covering various religions.
Louisiana recently became the first state to adopt this requirement, but it's being challenged in court. Opponents in South Dakota warn of similar litigation here, if this bill crosses the finish line. But supporters such as state Sen. Sue Peterson, R-Sioux Falls, suggest the concerns about the words being on display are overblown.
"'Thou shall not steal.' 'Thou shall not kill' - I don't think that hurts anything," Peterson said. "In fact, I think it's helpful."
But other lawmakers, who say they adhere to the same guiding principles, question whether this mandate would solve any broader issue. Beyond Louisiana and the South Dakota proposal, a handful of other conservative states are considering similar measures, most notably Texas.
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Arizona's largest high school district has stated it will not voluntarily help the Trump administration with its immigration promises by declaring itself a "safe zone" for all students, regardless of citizenship status.
The Phoenix Union High School District also announced it will conduct a series of "Know Your Rights" workshops for students and families. Data show about one in nine children in the state live with at least one undocumented family member.
Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and CEO for the social welfare group MomsRising, said they are hearing from parents and students around the country who said Trump's directives are inciting real fear for children and families, posing serious consequences.
"A terrified child in a classroom full of fearful children can't learn or thrive, and that creating a climate of fear at schools harms every child," Rowe-Finkbeiner emphasized. "We will demand that our government acts humanely and with compassion."
Rowe-Finkbeiner pointed out her organization has successfully worked with teachers to defeat book bans as well as supporting the need for civil and LGBTQ+ rights education in schools. She argued the immigration fight will be no different. Advocates also reminded people all children, regardless of immigration status, have the right to equal access to education, which, through the Family and Education Rights and Privacy Act, cannot be taken away.
Gaby Pacheco, president and CEO of TheDream.US, a national scholarship fund for undocumented students, said the stress children are facing today is what she called "unimaginable." She stressed the constant threats of raids at schools and the scare tactics being used are horrifying and inhumane but now is not the time to for people to back down.
"Immigrants are the easiest group to blame, the last ones to help and the first to be discarded," Pacheco contended. "We've seen it time and time again, and yet our children -- our immigrant children -- continue to dream."
President Donald Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, has said any potential raids on schools would be assessed on what he called a "case-by-case basis," and determined based on national security or public safety threats.
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A Wyoming bill to expand a school voucher program passed the House last week, despite a new survey showing most Republican voters in the state oppose the system.
House Bill 199 would offer up to $7,000 per student to families for nonpublic K-12 schooling. Proponents said the increased competition will improve education.
Kim Amen, president of the Wyoming Education Association, said the playing field is uneven because private schools do not have to post lesson plans and their students are not required to take state tests.
"If you're talking about competition, the competition isn't fair because one playing field doesn't have any accountability at all," Amen pointed out. "The other playing field has so much accountability, they can't keep up."
The proposed program is a revamped version of a 2024 Education Savings Account program. The new one offers more money, disqualifies pre-K students and gets rid of income requirements. A recent poll of nearly 700 Republican voters in Wyoming shows 68% oppose universal school vouchers.
There are questions about the bill's legality, as the Wyoming Constitution prohibits the state from giving money to most individuals and prohibits the use of public funds for private or parochial schools. The voucher funds would divert money from public schools. Amen argued it is an equity problem.
"Our rural communities do not have access to the private schools that our larger communities have," Amen emphasized. "When you talk about giving universal vouchers, if you're in Cheyenne, that might work out well for you. But if you're in Meeteetse, you don't have a lot of options."
Amen called Wyoming public schools and their employees "amazing." Meanwhile, President Donald Trump released an executive order last week prioritizing "educational choice."
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