Volume 1 Issue 2
SB 503, sponsored by Senators Molly Kelly and Bob Odell, proposes to expand the Unique Pupil Identifier (UPI) database to include students in preschool and college. The state already collects information on public-school students in first through 12th grade. It tracks each student’s progress, state assessment results, attendance records, special education plans, and demographics including race, ethnicity, age, and gender. This data is used by the Department of Education to compile public school performance information. SB 503 was proposed to qualify for available federal grant money under the “Race to the Top” program.
The Senate adopted this bill with amendment and it progressed to the House Education Committee (HEC) on May 4, 2010. SB 503 offers no protection for homeschool, private school, or out-of-state students. In its current form, SB 503 would track a homeschool student enrolled in an extra or co-curricular program, such as band or drama club, at his/her local school. It would also track an adult returning to the local
community college for a class. An additional amendment proposed by Representatives Ingbretson, Stiles, and Kurk would prohibit NH public colleges and universities from creating new UPIs for enrolled homeschool, private school, and out-of-state students. Unfortunately, this amendment was not drafted as intended and Rep. Ingbretson withdrew the amendment, intending to bring the corrected version to the full House when SB 503 is heard. SB 503 with Rep. Rous’ amendment was approved 14 to 6. Representatives Joseph Fleck, Karen Hutchinson, and Paul Ingbretson were among the few who spoke against the bill. Please refer to our website to see the voting records of HEC members and a link to a report of the executive session.
Our position:
It is the position of NH Families for Education that SB 503 exceeds the scope of compulsory education and further compromises the privacy of students. We recommend that SB 503 be voted Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) to kill this bill. Compulsory school attendance is limited to grades 1 through 12. Likewise, if the Department of Education must track the performance of public schools, then it should be limited to compulsory academic years. Early childhood and postsecondary education are not included in compulsory education and therefore should not be included in the UPI database. Furthermore, students’ privacy is already compromised with the UPI database and their privacy should not be further jeopardized to chase federal grant dollars. Tracking people “cradle to grave” is wrong. Privacy is a core principle of New Hampshire’s tradition of respecting the individual and it shouldn’t be compromised because the government is passing out “free” money.
Action Needed:
SB 503 will be heard by the full House on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. Please contact your Representatives, urging them to kill SB 503. The scope of this bill exceeds the purview of compulsory attendance and therefore falls outside the authority of the DOE to track students’ performance. They also put sensitive information at risk. You can find your representatives here. We have a sample letter available on our website.
Rep. Bates is a first-term representative from Rockingham District 4. He is a Republican and sits on the House Election Law Committee.
NHFFE: Thank you for taking time to talk with us today. In the 2010 legislative session, you sponsored HB 1453, a bill that would require at least a five-day notification to parent and guardians of any school curriculum, event, or activity on the topics of health, sex education, sexual orientation or gender identity, or political activity. What was the background for initiating this bill?
Rep. Bates: There was no particular genesis for HB 1453. I recognized that current law allows parents to opt-out of sensitive curricula, but there was no notification process. I believe that it is appropriate for parents and legal guardians to be aware of when these topics will be covered in their children’s classes.
NHFFE: This bill was heard by the House Education Committee. How was your bill received by the HEC?
Rep. Bates: The public hearing for HB 1453 was scheduled after HB 1523, the anti-bullying bill. Cornerstone and other groups came out in strength to support HB 1523. Unfortunately HB 1453 slipped by with little attention.
NHFFE: The HEC ultimately voted 15 to 5 for Inexpedient To Legislate (ITL) HB 1453. This is a recommendation to the full House to reject the bill. What objections or concerns were raised by the HEC?
Rep. Bates: The majority opinion, written by Rep. Judith Reever, states that RSA 186:11, 1X-b already allows parents an opt-out and local governance should be solely responsible for any policy provisions. The minority opinion, written by Rep. Paul Ingbretson, states that this bill appropriately adds a notification requirement and current topics that are not included in current law.
NHFFE: The House had a roll call vote on HB 1453 and was defeated 195 to 118. Do you think this bill will be resubmitted anytime soon?
Rep. Bates: I think this bill, with minor modifications, can be presented before the House in 2011. It may have a better opportunity to pass if more family-oriented groups are informed of the bill and its impact on parents’ authority in their children’s education
NHFFE: Are you running for re-election in 2010? If so, where can our members learn more about your campaign?
Rep. Bates: I have not made a decision at this point. I am considering it, but have not yet filed.
NHFFE: Thank you for your time today, Rep. Bates.
NH Families for Education made a big debut at the Victory Park rally on April 15th. The crowd heard speeches by Rep. Dan Itse, Senate candidate Jim Forsythe, with keynote addresses by Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, former US Senator Gordon Humphrey, and Thom Thomson, son of former NH Governor Meldrim Thomson. We met many friendly, supportive people. Our message of family involvement in education resonated with people. (We also had the cutest exhibit table there! Check out our Facebook pictures!)
Just two days later, the RLC-NH and Cornerstone hosted a fundraiser for NHFFE. Tommy Newberry, author of “War on Success” spoke to a receptive crowd. Mr. Newberry spoke about the importance of families in raising their children and keeping spirit to succeed alive in our country. He talked about how many schools and other authorities recognize participation without real achievement and how that
dampens the drive to succeed. Mr. Newberry encourages society, and parents in particular, to reward self-reliance, ambition, and hard work in all facets of life. The attendees included several Representatives and candidates including Paul Ingbretson, Fran Wendelboe, Ovide Lamontagne, Dan McGuire, Jim Forsythe, Andy Sanborn, and John Kalb.
Jim Forsythe, chair of the RLC-NH and NH Senate candidate for district 4, said “The one thing that all our groups have in common is that we all believe that the family is the most important element when it comes to education - we must promote the involvement and empowerment of parents in NH. I look forward to the efforts of the NH Families for Education PAC as they work towards this critical goal.”
We want to give a special thanks to Jim Forsythe and Dan McGuire for sponsoring our fundraiser.
NHFFE is proud to announce the addition of Deborah Stevenson, attorney and founder of the National Home Education Legal Defense, as our legislative advisor and Craig Peterson, former chair of Gun Owners of NH, as a PAC advisor. Our genius webmaster is Steven Peterson. Welcome aboard!
We are busy preparing a candidate survey and evaluation process for all candidates and incumbents. We want to gauge their support for families in education. This is the most important role of NHFFE and we want to include you.
If you could ask candidates one question regarding education, what would it be? Was there a pivotal issue in this legislative session that will make or break your support for a candidate? We will consider all suggestions as we develop our survey. Do you have experience with surveys or Excel? Do you have a heart for furthering our mission in the upcoming elections? If so, we want to hear from you! Please consider volunteering your time and talents. Please contact us at NHFamiliesForEducation@gmail.com to get involved or join in the discussion on our forum at www.NHFamiliesForEducation.org.
May 28-29, 2010 CHENH annual convention, Manchester
NHFFE will have an exhibit table at the annual Christian Home Educators of New Hampshire convention. It will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. The NHFFE table will reach out to the homeschool community with our message of empowering families in the education of their children. We will feature a homeschool robotics team, Mechanical MAYHEM, who placed ninth in the world competition held in Atlanta last month. Also House and Senate candidates that support families in education will spend time at our table and have literature available.
We are looking for volunteers to help staff our exhibit table. If you have a couple hours to spare, please let us know at NHFamiliesForEducation@gmail.com or sign up at our website, www.NHFamiliesForEducation.org.
July 10, 2010 CNHT 12th Annual Taxpayer Picnic, Hillsborough
NHFFE will attend the annual CNHT Taxpayer Reunion Picnic. It will be held at the Hillsborough American Legion Hall on 538 Main Street in Hillsborough. Candidates for the NH House and Senate will be there. It’s a great opportunity to personally meet them and ask your most important questions. It’s a fun event for the whole family, even the dog is welcome. Don’t miss it! If you’d like to get involved and help at our exhibit table, sign up at our website.
If you have an upcoming event which you think is appropriate for NHFFE, we would love to hear about it! We are happy to speak at your support group or member meeting. Please contact us at NHFamiliesForEducation@gmail.com so we can mark it on our calendar.
The NH Families for Education is working for you. We are here to empower parents in the educational choices for their children. It is our mission to elect Representatives and Senators who agree with this philosophy and practice. Your contributions will be used to get these legislators elected in November. Please donate today.