November 5, 2024

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Critics blast use of PragerU finance course in NH schools

Critics blast use of PragerU finance course in NH schools

CONCORD — The New Hampshire Department of Education is drawing criticism again from educators and some lawmakers for renewing its partnership with PragerU, a conservative media nonprofit, to provide online instruction to students for high school credit. 

In addition to concerns about the organization’s right-wing political agenda and often-skewed educational content, education advocates said the approved financial literacy course is inadequate in content and quantity of instruction to qualify as a for-credit course. 

“Throughout his tenure, Commissioner (Frank) Edelblut’s agenda has been focused on weakening public schools, which are attended by nearly 90% of Granite State students,” said Megan Tuttle, president of the National Education Association New Hampshire chapter, in an email. 

“The renewal of a contract with an ideological profit-based entity to serve as a replacement for in-classroom financial literacy instruction is just another example of the Edelblut agenda that illustrates what’s at stake in the elections this fall,” Tuttle wrote. 

On Sept. 16, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a five-year renewal with PragerU Kids to offer its online personal finance course, titled Cash Course, as part of the state’s Learn Everywhere program, which allows students to earn high school credits through state-approved extracurricular programs.