Natalie Belleau

@Bridge: Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong opposition against HB 1268, which would make New Hampshire one of the least regulated states in the nation when it comes to the education of our beloved children. This irresponsible legislation removes essential protections for homeschooled students. It would make notification optional, reducing the community safety net that can protect children from abuse and neglect. It would eliminate mandatory evaluations, thereby doing a disservice to students who would not know if their home education was subpar. It would remove a child’s right to guaranteed regular instruction under the guise of “truancy protections.” HB 1268 would interfere with a district’s ability to make sure that the homeschooled children within the district are meeting state standards for education. It puts children at risk of abuse, neglect, or other mistreatment by removing any trace of them from public systems (I am particularly concerned about this possibility given New Hampshire’s history with members of the Epstein files). This deplorable bill is disguised as “Home Education Freedom,” but I ask you: Freedom for who? Our students, who are still guaranteed the opportunity for an adequate education by our state laws? Or parents who are hoping to bypass those regulations? Making NH one of the least regulated states in the country is a disservice to children’s right to education. This bill would undoubtedly risk our spot as one of the best states for education, thereby eliminating one of the only remaining qualities that attracts families to our state to grow our struggling economy. This is risking the education, development, and futures of thousands of New Hampshire students who are homeschooled. I urge you to vote against HB 1268 and help keep New Hampshire students safe and educated. Respectfully, Natalie Belleau, Bedford, NH