January 18, 2009
Thanks to HSLDA
According to the HSLDA, HB 367 and HB 368 are two proposed laws that represent the most serious legislative threat ever faced by New Hampshire homeschoolers.
HB 367 would drastically change the current evaluation and assessment section (New Hampshire RSA 193-A:6) of New Hampshire homeschool law, creating new and unnecessary burdens on both homeschoolers and participating agencies.
HB 367 would require a “credentialed educator” to review the portfolio of records (as defined in 193-A:6, I) for each student every year. The “credentialed educator” would submit their report to the superintendent or nonpublic school principal. The bill would require that a standardized test be administered by a “credentialed educator” every year (specifically not the parent) and submitted to the superintendent or nonpublic school principal for review. The bill would allow a superintendent or nonpublic school principal to use his or her own judgment to determine whether or not a student made satisfactory “academic growth” over the course of the year. If, in the subjective opinion of the superintendent or nonpublic school principal, the student did not make satisfactory progress, a remediation plan must be developed. If, after one year, the superintendent or nonpublic school principal decides that the student is still not making adequate progress he may, at his own discretion, terminate the homeschool program. An appeal is possible if a homeschool program is terminated.
HB 368 would require New Hampshire homeschoolers to affirm that they will comply with the law and requires participating agencies to provide New Hampshire homeschoolers a copy of the laws and regulations as well as other materials the participating agency thinks might be of benefit to homeschoolers. This change is unnecessary and redundant. New Hampshire homeschoolers are quite capable of understanding the law and determining whether they would like to request resources from a participating agency.
Neither the HEAC nor the homeschool study commission created by S.B. 337 recommended any changes to New Hampshire’s homeschool law. Nevertheless, and despite the absence of any credible evidence suggesting a need for changes, Representative Judith Day (D-Rockingham) appears determined to push for unnecessary, unwarranted and dangerous changes to a law which has worked well, and with only minor changes, since it was created in 1990.
Please watch for more information on dates and times of hearings for this bill.