This Petition rejects the HB 1263 Hostile Homeschooling bill as it pertains to the addition of a third party oversight to NH homeschool families student evaluations, the further removal of School Choice, removal of parental rights, and privacy rights.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billTe...

As homeschooling families in NH we take pride in our children's education, secure in the knowledge that they are receiving the best possible education tailored to their own unique learning needs.

As it stands we are required by law to evaluate students annually. This criteria can be met using any of the following methods.

1. A written evaluation of educational progress by a certified teacher or current nonpublic school teacher selected by the parent, prepared after reviewing the students portfolio and discussing with the parent or child.
2. The results of any national student achievement test administered by a person meeting the providers or publishers qualifications, with a composite score at or above the 40th percentile.
3. The results of the state student assessment test used by the resident district, with a composite score at or above the 40th percentile.
4. An evaluation using any other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the participating agency.

• These results are to be kept by the parent and not sent to the participating agency. The law states that the results of the evaluation may be used to demonstrate a child's academic proficiency in order to participate in public school programs, but shall not be used as a basis for terminating a home education program and should provide a basis for a constructive relationship between the parent and the evaluator.

The introduction of HB 1263 will effectively strike out those uses for the evaluation.

1. It would no longer be able to be used to demonstrate a child's academic proficiency in order to participate in public school programs.
2. It would no longer provide a basis for a constructive relationship between parent and evaluator.
3. It would however be grounds for terminating a homeschool program.

• The results of these evaluations would be directly sent to the commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or non public school principal.
  • They would then take it upon themselves to determine if that child was working at "age appropriate" level.
  • If they determine that this child is not at "age appropriate" level they would then place the parents of that child on a one year probation.
  • After that probationary period if they determine the child still is not at the level that these people arbitrarily set as acceptable, the parents will be taken to court to have their homeschool program terminated.
  • The child will then be forced into the school system.
  • These families will be under the supervision of the state to make sure compulsory attendance requirements are met.

These are NOT conditions that any other public or private school is held to. If a child in school is not learning at the so called 'age appropriate level' the school district is not placed on probation. Their programs are not terminated if that child is still "behind" within a year.

• This is a gross overstep of government reach and invasion of privacy.
• There is no such thing as one size fits all education.
• There is no such thing as "age appropriate" learning levels.
• All this bill seeks to do is remove parental rights to choose our children's schooling, and force children back into the school system.
• This is simply so that these districts aren't losing funding with each child that chooses to homeschool. A decision more often than not made due to the huge failure of the current public school system.

We the undersigned request that our representatives vote AGAINST HB 1263