For Immediate Release August 10, 2023
State Board of Education Tabling PragerU is a Good First Step
but the Program Must Be Rejected
CONCORD, N.H.— Today, the New Hampshire State Board of Education tabled a Prager U Financial Literacy video for a ½ credit in New Hampshire Public Schools. AFT-NH President Deb Howes released the following statement.
“Today’s decision to table PragerU as an education vendor is a solid first step for New Hampshire students, parents and teachers but the State Board must fully reject this proposal. The State Board of Education has a responsibility to approve curriculum that is rich in content and is proven to be effective through a rigorous accreditation process. PragerU fails on all of these important criteria. If this program is approved, parents may believe that this program, because it has been approved by the board, is accredited while it is not.
When questioned about PragerU members of the SBOE immediately blamed teachers for not voicing their concerns when a small handful were asked on July 3rd. Asking teachers for information in the summer and during the 4th of July holiday and then blaming them for not responding by the end of that week is insulting to those volunteers who do their limited free time to the board for this kind of review whenever possible.
We will continue to monitor and oppose this program and any of Frank Edelblut’s and the State Board of Education’s attempts cheapen our public schools. New Hampshire’s public education system and hardworking Granite Staters deserve better.
For more information, please contact AFT-NH President Deb Howes at president@aft-nh.org