We have been hearing a lot of positives from many of our Republican representatives about the value of Educational Freedom Accounts and school choice for students. At this time students can go to private schools, parochial schools, charter schools and be home schooled with help from New Hampshire taxpayers.
I see the value of school choice but what concerns me is accountability. It just does not seem to exist. Public schools are monitored at every level but the accountability for students in the above options is minimal to nonexistent.
A good friend of mine, I will call her Ann, just had an experience with her son, James, that highlights my concern. She enrolled him in a local religious school last year for first grade when his public school was remote. He had a successful year and she considered enrolling him there in second grade. Ann was concerned about tuition so she enrolled him back in public school. She soon heard from the parochial school about the education accounts. Someone was willing to help her fill out paperwork to apply. After some persuasion, she moved him back to the religious school for second grade.
All went well for several weeks and then she began to get notes from his teacher. The teacher complained that James had trouble sitting during the day and needed to stand up, at times during instruction. The school described him as defiant. The teacher had asked the class to hand in their iPads when she called their names but he put his away first.
The next communication from the school labeled him as having ADHD and that Ann should take him to the doctor, maybe medicine would help. My friend called the doctor and received forms for the teacher to complete. She was confused as the previous year had gone well and she did not see this behavior at home. The next talk with the school was more upsetting. One of the school staff labeled James possibly autistic. Ann was then called and told James would need to be picked up by 1 p.m. as it was clear he could not handle school for an entire day.
A meeting was held where the teacher talked about things they might try to help him but he could only remain until 1 p.m. each day. This was very difficult for Ann and James’s father as they worked each day. They were also paying tuition for a school day. This meeting was followed up by a phone call from the school that said they had changed the pick-up time to 11 a.m.
At this point, James was anxious about going to school and felt targeted by staff. His parents were worried as he seemed very stressed and upset. They decided to keep him home. They contacted the school on Dec. 10 to tell them of their decision to keep him home and their concerns. They received a response on Jan. 4.
In the meantime, Ann put him back in public school before Christmas vacation. She has received no complaints or concerns from his teacher and he loves school. He describes himself as very happy.
Teachers are not physicians and should not be diagnosing children. This would never be permitted in public schools and there are processes for making complaints. In addition, it should be noted that private and parochial schools receive extra money if a student is identified with a disability such as autism.
Because the administration was present during some of the comments made about her son Ann had no one to report this to. In addition, a student in public school would never be permitted to be excused from school early each day without a clear medical or mental health reason. Meetings would be held, parents would be in agreement and work would be adjusted.
Lastly, this mom received no communication for weeks while she struggled to figure out how to educate her son. When she finally received communication it was an e-mail. The e-mail was followed by a bill for tuition.
The school seemed to have an inability to handle a behavioral situation that would be considered minor in most schools. Was the classroom teacher certified in education? That is not a requirement in private and parochial schools. What is the recourse for parents? Where is the money?
As a taxpayer, I have a right and New Hampshire has an obligation to make all educators and educational institutions accountable, not just the ones they have chosen to favor.
(Susan Seidner lives in Pembroke.)