Karen Burnett-Kurie: Traditional public school reporting is strenuous yet good

To The Daily Sun,

One reason New Hampshire's administrative costs for traditional public school are high are the state’s reporting requirements. The state does not require public charter schools to do all this. There are virtually no requirements for homeschooling, NH private schools, or EFA vouchers. Why? The state says any regulations for these groups is a burden. Yet there's an ever-growing list of requirements for traditional public schools. Meanwhile property taxes pay for all of it.

NH public administrative units complete an extensive central office annual report ensuring they do not exceed 6% of the total budget. It includes an array of financial information, a certified financial report, and a report for voter approved appropriations.

There are state reports for special education; free and reduced lunch funding; and other designated monies. Reports cover student safety, discipline, and performance data including CTE completion, dual enrollments, and career-ready credentials. Reports of violent incidents must be reported to police within 48 hours. Acts of theft, destruction, or violence must be reported to the superintendent and law enforcement within 48 hours.

K-12 schools must report weekly aggregate student and staff absenteeism every Tuesday as well as identifying habitual truancy. Annual statistics cover bullying, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and use of restraint or seclusion; English language learners in grades K-12; and the Dynamic Learning Maps results for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Add reporting of an array of health information to Department of Health and Human Services.

Screening requirements for students in kindergarten through second grade include dyslexia and related disorders and vision screening for children upon entry. Beyond statewide assessments in reading, language arts, mathematics, science for grades 3-8 and one high school grade, students take the citizenship test, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and College Board SAT with essay.

And this is only some of what's required.

Karen Burnett-Kurie

Wolfeboro