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HB 1828-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
11Mar2026... 1109h
04/23/2026 1509s
2026 SESSION
26-3008
12/09
HOUSE BILL
1828-FN
AN ACT
requiring the department of education to establish an auditing process relative to teacher preparation programs at the post-secondary educational level.
SPONSORS: Rep. Noble, Hills. 2; Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. Peternel, Carr. 6; Rep. Freeman, Belk. 8; Rep. Korzen, Coos 7; Rep. Litchfield, Rock. 32; Rep. Colcombe, Hills. 30; Sen. Ward, Dist 8
COMMITTEE: Education Policy and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the department of education to review professional educator preparation programs to ensure effective literacy instruction is provided in institutions of higher education. The bill also authorizes the department to make rules relative to the auditing process of preparation programs.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11Mar2026... 1109h
04/23/2026 1509s 26-3008
12/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
requiring the department of education to establish an auditing process relative to teacher preparation programs at the post-secondary educational level.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Preparation Program Literacy Audit. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 58 the following new section:
189:58-a Preparation Program Literacy Audit.
I. The department of education shall review New Hampshire approved professional preparation programs to:
(a) Ensure that all applicable educators complete coursework in evidence-based strategies for effective literacy instruction aligned to the science of reading, which includes phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary teacher development, and is part of a structured literacy program; and
(b) Ensure that clinical preparation for all educators who are responsible for teaching reading only occurs in the classrooms where the local education agency has verified that the practicing teachers have training in literacy instruction strategies aligned to the science of reading, use instructional materials aligned to the science of reading, and actively implement a structured literacy approach.
II. The department of education shall include in existing professional educator preparation program (PEPP) reviews an auditing process requiring that institutions of higher education provide metrics that document the degree to which every applicable educator preparation program at an institution of higher education is effectively teaching the science of reading and shall publish the audit results on the department’s website.
III. The department of education shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the auditing process.
2 New Subparagraph; Literacy Audit Rulemaking. Amend RSA 21-N:9, II by inserting after subparagraph (cc) the following new subparagraph:
(dd) The auditing process for literacy instruction in professional preparation programs, as defined in RSA 189:58-a.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage
.
LBA
26-3008
04/28/2026
HB 1828-FN-
FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1509s)
AN ACT
requiring the department of education to establish an auditing process relative to teacher preparation programs at the post-secondary educational level.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
Estimated State Impact
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
FY 2029
Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
Revenue Fund(s)
None
Expenditures*
$0
$130,000
$130,000
$136,000
Funding Source(s)
General Fund
Appropriations*
$0
$0
$0
$0
Funding Source(s)
None
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Department of Education to review and audit approved educator preparation programs to assess the extent to which they provide coursework and clinical training aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction, commonly referred to as the “science of reading.” The requirements apply to applicable State Board of Education-approved programs that prepare educators responsible for teaching reading or foundational literacy skills. The bill also requires that clinical training for such educators take place only in classrooms where the local education agency has verified that the cooperating teacher has received training in science-of-reading-aligned instruction, uses instructional materials consistent with this approach, and actively implements a structured literacy model.
The Department, under this bill, would be required to:
Add a literacy-focused audit to existing professional educator preparation program (PEPP) reviews, requiring institutions of higher education to provide metrics demonstrating alignment with science-of-reading instruction, and using those metrics to evaluate programs.
Evaluate educator preparation programs using the established auditing process to determine alignment with the statutory literacy instruction requirements.
Publish the results of the audits on the Department’s website.
Adopt administrative rules under RSA 541-A establishing the auditing process and related procedures.
The Department states historically it has reviewed educator preparation programs primarily through program approval/renewal processes. Under this bill, the Department’s role would expand existing PEPP review processes to include a literary-focused auditing component to evaluate educator preparation programs for alignment with the science of reading requirements. To implement this bill, the Department anticipates the need to add one (1) full-time position (Instructional Coordinator III, SOC 25-07, starting step 7), beginning July 1, 2026 (FY 2027), to support implementation of the literacy auditing requirements withing existing PEPP review processes. The estimated total cost for the position is $130,000 in FY 2027, $130,000 in FY 2028, and $136,000 in FY 2029. It should be noted that this bill provides neither authorization nor appropriation for new personnel.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education