CHAPTER 227

HB 1571 – FINAL VERSION

15Feb2012… 0554h

05/16/12 2036s

2012 SESSION

12-2778

04/10

HOUSE BILL 1571

AN ACT relative to educational evaluation of home schooled children.

SPONSORS: Rep. Hoell, Merr 13

COMMITTEE: Education

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill amends the educational evaluation procedures for home educated children and repeals the notice, hearing, and appeals procedures afforded to parents relative to the termination of a home education program. The bill also clarifies the school district's limited liability for home educated children.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

15Feb2012… 0554h

05/16/12 2036s

12-2778

04/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve

AN ACT relative to educational evaluation of home schooled children.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

227:1 Home Education; Notification. Amend RSA 193-A:5, IV to read as follows:

IV. [Subject to the provisions of RSA 193-A:7,] The commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal shall acknowledge receipt of notification within 14 days of such receipt.

227:2 Home Education; Records; Evaluation. Amend RSA 193-A:6 to read as follows:

193-A:6 Records; Evaluation.

I. The parent shall maintain a portfolio of records and materials relative to the home education program. The portfolio shall consist of a log which designates by title the reading materials used, and also samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the child. Such portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for 2 years from the date of the ending of the instruction.

II. The parent shall provide for an annual educational evaluation in which is documented the child’s demonstration of educational progress at a level commensurate with the child’s age and ability. The child shall be deemed to have successfully completed his annual evaluation upon meeting the requirements of any one of the following:

(a) A certified teacher or a teacher currently teaching in a nonpublic school who is selected by the parent shall evaluate the child’s educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion with the parent or child[. The teacher shall submit a written evaluation to the commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal];

(b) The child shall take any national student achievement test, administered by a person who meets the qualifications established by the provider or publisher of the test. Composite results at or above the fortieth percentile on such tests shall be deemed reasonable academic proficiency[. Such test results shall be reported to the commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal];

(c) The child shall take a state student assessment test used by the resident district. Composite results at or above the fortieth percentile on such state test shall be deemed reasonable academic proficiency[. Such test results shall be reported to the commissioner of education, the resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal]; or

(d) The child shall be evaluated using any other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal. [The results shall be reported by the parent or the testing agency to such appropriate official.]

III. [The commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal shall review the results of the annual educational evaluation of the child in a home education program as provided in paragraph II. If the child does not demonstrate educational progress for age and ability at a level commensurate with his ability, the commissioner, superintendent, or principal shall notify the parent, in writing, that such progress has not been achieved. The parent shall have one year from the date of receipt of the written notification to provide remedial instruction to the child. At the end of the one-year probationary period, the child shall be reevaluated in a manner as provided in this section. Continuation in a home education program shall be contingent upon the child demonstrating at the end of the probationary period educational progress commensurate with his age and ability. The parent of a child who fails to demonstrate such progress at the end of the probationary period shall be notified by the commissioner that the parent is entitled to a hearing as provided in RSA 193-A:7, I and II and that the program will be terminated absent a finding for continuation pursuant to such hearing. Upon a finding that the program should be terminated, the child shall be reported by the commissioner or nonpublic school principal to the appropriate resident district superintendent, who shall, if necessary, take appropriate action to ensure that compulsory attendance requirements are met] The parent shall maintain a copy of the evaluation. The results of the evaluation:

(a) May be used to demonstrate the child’s academic proficiency in order to participate in public school programs, and co-curricular activities which are defined as school district-sponsored and directed athletics, fine arts, and academic activities. Home educated students shall be subject to the same participation policy and eligibility conditions as apply to public school students.

(b) Shall not be used as a basis for termination of a home education program.

(c) Provides a basis for a constructive relationship between the parent and the evaluator, both working together in the best interest of the child.

227:3 Limited Liability. Amend RSA 193-A:9 to read as follows:

193-A:9 Liability Limited. The resident school district, the board of such district, and any employees of the resident school district associated with a child who is or has been receiving home education [in accordance with this chapter,] are not liable in damages in a civil action for any injury, death or loss to person or property allegedly sustained by that child, [his] the child’s parent, or any other person as a result of the child's receipt of home education, including but not limited to, any liability allegedly based on the failure of the child to receive a free appropriate or adequate public education.

227:4 Repeal. The following are repealed:

I. RSA 193-A:7, relative to notice and hearing afforded to a parent conducting a home education program.

II. RSA 193-A:8, relative to issuance of order after a hearing and appeals of such orders.

227:5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: Enacted in accordance with Article 44, Part II, N.H. Constitution, without signature of governor, June 16, 2012.

Effective Date: June 16, 2012