HSLDA Runs Roughshod in NH

Here is a copy of our legislative proposal

Text added in CAPITALS; text removed struck out.

NH RSA 193:1 Duty of Parent; Compulsory Attendance by Pupil.

I. ALL PARENTS SHALL INSTRUCT THEIR CHILDREN OR CAUSE THEM TO BE INSTRUCTED. A parent of any child at least 6 years of age and under 18 years of age SHALL INSTRUCT HIS CHILD OR shall cause such child to attend the public school to which the child is assigned in the child’s resident district. Such child shall attend full time when such school is in session unless:

(a)THE CHILD IS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY THE PARENT AND IS THEREFORE EXEMPT FROM THIS REQUIREMENT;

(a) (b) The child is attending a New Hampshire public school outside the district to which the child is assigned or an approved New Hampshire private school for the same time;

(b) The child is receiving home education pursuant to RSA 193-A and is therefore exempt from this requirement;

NH RSA 193-A: Home Education

HSLDA’s proposal with strike outs:

Proposed legislation to replace 193A

Delete all of 193-A:2, 3, 5 – 10

Section 193-A:4 is revised as follows:

I. Parents who provide home education under this chapter Instruction shall provide be deemed home education if it consists of instruction in science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, the history of the constitutions of New Hampshire and the United States, and an exposure to and appreciation of art and music. Home education shall be provided by the parent for his own child, or an adult designated by the parent. unless the provider is as otherwise agreed upon by the appropriate parties named in paragraph II.

II. Parents who elect to provide home education shall inform the superintendent of their resident school district, a non public school principal or the Department of Education by filing a notice of intent which shall include the following information: The department of education, resident district superintendent, or a nonpublic school shall work with parents upon request in meeting the requirements of this section.

(a) The child’s name;

(b) The child’s age;

(c) The current address of the child;

(d) The names, telephone numbers and addresses of the parent who has custody of the child and;

(e) That the parent will provide instruction in the subjects listed in this section commensurate with the child’s age and ability.

III. A notice of intent shall be filed within thirty days from the time the child begins home education and is not required thereafter unless home education is terminated and subsequently resumed. The parent of the child shall notify the person with whom the parent first filed the notice of intent within thirty days after termination of home education stating that the child is no longer being instructed at home. If home education is resumed, the parent shall file another notice of intent with the resident school superintendent, Department of Education or non-public school principal within thirty days.