State Board Of Education Votes For Learn Everywhere Rules

CONCORD, NH — Today, the State Board of Education voted 4-3 in favor of draft rules implementing the Learn Everywhere program. The innovative education initiative would allow New Hampshire public school students to earn credit toward graduation for accredited learning outside of the classroom. In 2018, the Legislative approved and Gov. Chris Sununu signed SB 435, directing the State Board of Education to adopt rules “relative to the approval of alternative programs for granting credit leading to graduation.”

“Learn Everywhere will expand learning opportunities outside the classroom, giving students and parents greater control over their high school educations,” said Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, an early champion of the Learn Everywhere program. “I want to thank New Hampshire’s education community for embracing the spirit of innovation, and thank the Board for supporting Learn Everywhere.”

Under the proposed rules, for-profit and non-profit organizations wishing to offer credit under Learn Everywhere must apply to the State Board of Education, which would review the proposal and maintain oversight of it. To ensure that every New Hampshire public school student has equal opportunity to obtain Learn Everywhere credits, all schools must allow a student to earn up to 1/3 of his or her required graduation credits through the Learn Everywhere program. Schools may, but are not required to, accept as much as 100 percent of credits required for high school graduation.

“Learn Everywhere offers all New Hampshire children the opportunity to earn high school graduation credits in a promising variety of rigorous programs that otherwise might not exist in their local school district. Learn Everywhere will create new learning opportunities, and empower New Hampshire families to build better educations for their children,” said Andrew Cline, Chairman of the State Board of Education. “I’m looking forward to seeing the innovative and engaging programs that New Hampshire businesses and non-profits design.”

The draft rules will now be sent to the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR).

"I am pleased that the New Hampshire State Board of Education today joined with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, FIRST Robotics, New England College, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, as well as parents and students across the state in supporting the Learn Everywhere initiative," said Gov. Chris Sununu in a statement. "Learn Everywhere offers New Hampshire students a 21st Century educational system that extends well beyond the four walls of a classroom. Bolstering innovative proposals such as Learn Everywhere, which recognize that a one-size fits all approach does not work for every student, is key to the success of our children. This program opens up a myriad of opportunities for students in New Hampshire to pursue educational paths that encourage their passion to learn and best fit their needs. It also allows students to partner with great organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club."