Kelly Cataluna

HB 1268 ensures that New Hampshire treats home school education with respect and trust, giving parents the authority and flexibility to educate their children in the way that works best for their family and for their children. The bill also creates protections so that choosing to home school can’t be used as evidence of educational neglect. These reforms affirm that parents, not bureaucrats often seeking to further their own agendas, should be the ones directing their children’s education. HB 1268 reinforces parental rights by prohibiting school officials or boards from creating policies that govern home schoolers, and by safeguarding the privacy and autonomy of home school families. The bill clarifies that no new powers will be given to the Department of Education to certify graduation or impose additional regulations. It includes MUCH NEEDED protections for families choosing to teach children with SPECIAL NEEDS and ensures that home schooling IS NOT MISUSED as a negative factor in truancy or child welfare cases.