HB76

This bill should have been happening decades prior. Other states already report this. It is a part of IDEA. I would add an option for the parent to make the complaint completely public. I also think there should be a process for the parent to challenge the DOE interpretation of the major issues as they do not always agree. The DOE over redacts information. No parent should receive any redacted correspondence as this is all in relation to their child.

I support HB 76. Redacting the names of public schools makes it harder for the public to understand how our schools are performing and addressing systemic issues. The argument that redactions are needed to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in small school districts is often used to justify excessive secrecy. While protecting student privacy is important, the New Hampshire Department of Education already has the tools and expertise to develop standard procedures for writing letters of finding that safeguard PII without broadly redacting the names of public schools. For example, instead of using a student’s initials, letters of finding can refer to “the student.” References to gender (e.g., “him,” “her,” “his,” “hers”) can be removed, and the term “parent” can be used consistently throughout the decision. The student’s date of birth does not need to be included; instead, the student can be described in general terms, such as a “10th-grade student” or a “primary elementary school-aged student.” Similarly, specific building names can be avoided, while broader terms like “elementary,” “middle,” or “high school” can be used to provide context without compromising privacy. Additionally, if a student’s medical condition is referenced, the term “medical condition” can be used rather than specifying a rare diagnosis. If a student could otherwise be singled out—for example, if they use a wheelchair—the text might simply state “has assisted mobility.” I also strongly support the provision in HB 76 that requires “the name of any law firm representing the school district in the complaint.” It has become far too common for schools to involve legal counsel throughout the WHOLE special education process, including alternative dispute resolution processes. This practice create an imbalance and make it more difficult for families to navigate the system.

We need to be able to track issues and find where they may be starting. This also will help hold school districts accountable.