Learning and Growth
As Horace Mann, the “father of public education” once noted and has been repeated by many contemporary scholars, “Public education is the great equalizer in a democratic society.” It is a promise made to every family that opportunity is widely available for their children to grow and give back.
In New Hampshire, we have a rich history of independence and innovation when it comes to education. Our pre-K-12 public schools are ranked nationally in the top three by US News and World Report and are driven by innovations that give students hands-on learning opportunities and move towards locally-developed, meaningful assessments. We do things differently here in NH and it’s working. Does that mean everything in NH public education is perfect? Of course not – but it does mean we have built a strong foundation for even higher achievement.
Screens and AI in NH Classrooms: Educators Share their Experiences
An article in Education Week earlier this year proclaimed: “The Ed-Tech Backlash Is Here.” Across the country, school districts, often at the behest of parents, are exploring ways to reduce student use of screens in classrooms. New York City is starting the school year with a tech freeze while the Education Department sorts out its AI policy, and the Los Angeles Unified School District has placed limits on screen time in classrooms, fully banning screens before second grade. In the summer of 2026, the NH Department of Education launched a task force to explore the role of screens in schools.
To get a pulse on this critical issue, Reaching Higher NH asked educators for their thoughts on screens and on AI as part of our 2026 Educator Survey. The nearly 400 educators who responded believe that students spend too much time on screens, and that their social skills in particular would improve if screen time were limited. Many worry, however, about the potential unintended consequences of blanket bans, particularly in a world where students will need to know how to use technology and will need to develop the skills to manage their relationship with technology as adults. And many draw a distinction between reducing unnecessary screen use and restricting technology that serves an instructional purpose.
Defining NH's Public Education System
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The Latest: Learning
In an effort to keep Granite Staters well informed about the state of our public education system and the policy that impacts it, Reaching Higher NH is proud to provide in-depth research and analysis. Explore our recent content below.
The 2026 Legislative Session
Here are the bills being considered by the NH State Legislature that impact student learning and growth: