N.H. Admin. Code § Ed 306.04 - Policy Development

(a) The individual(s) responsible for superintendent services or their designee shall keep students, parents, and all school and district personnel informed about school policy. Such information shall be readily available, including on the school website.

(b) The local school board shall adopt and implement written policies and procedures, and make them available on each school's website, relative to:

(1) Absenteeism and attendance, which shall:

a. Include procedures for the accountability and supervision of students;

b. Not penalize students who miss class or a required school event because of a school scheduling conflict; and

c. Implement a cooperative approach that clearly explains the parents' or guardians' responsibilities for notification when a student is tardy, absent, or dismissed, as well as the school's responsibility;

(2) Promoting school safety:

a. On school property, as defined in RSA 193-D:1, V and RSA 193-F:3, V;

b. During authorized school activities, including but not limited to online and hybrid learning;

c. Relative to bullying, cyberbullying, and the use of social media platforms;

d. In managing the behavior of students;

e. Relative to the use of restraint and seclusion pursuant to RSA 126-U;

f. Relative to emergency care consistent with RSA 200:40;

g. By including safety instruction in all applicable programs offered by the school; and

h. By requiring all school and district personnel to know and implement safety practices and procedures relative to their area of responsibility;

(3) Discipline, including behavior management and intervention for students. Such policy shall:

a. Include provisions regarding student rights and responsibilities, rules of conduct, and penalties for misbehavior;

b. Include provisions regarding suspension and expulsion of pupils pursuant to RSA 193:13 and Ed 317;

c. Be written in age-appropriate language;

d. Be disseminated to parents and guardians; and

e. Be accessible to students, parents, and guardians, be ADA compliant, and offer a verbal option when needed;

(4) Records retention, including electronic files, requiring:

a. Complete and accurate records of students' attendance and scholarship which shall be permanently kept and safely stored in a fire-resistant file, vault, or safe;

b. A schedule for the retention and disposition of original records and information which shall be established in accordance with RSA 189:29-a; and

c. Access to all student records and information which shall be controlled by written procedures designed to protect individual rights and to preserve the confidential nature of the various types of records in compliance with applicable federal and state laws;

(5) Character and citizenship, which shall incorporate and encourage:

a. Character and citizenship in courses of study;

b. A caring educational environment by demonstration of character and citizenship by example;

c. Principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and economy, and truth and honesty with self and others, pursuant to Part 2, Article 83 of the New Hampshire Constitution;

d. Fairness, integrity, and justice;

e. Civility, respect, courtesy, and human worth;

f. Responsibility to oneself and others;

g. Community service; and

h. The rights and responsibilities of citizenship;

(6) Student hazing;

(7) Student harassment, including bullying and cyberbullying, as required by RSA 193-F:4, II;

(8) Sexual harassment;

(9) Reporting of suspected abuse or neglect;

(10) The administration of non-academic surveys or questionnaires to students, as required by RSA 186:11, IX-d;

(11) Promotion of a school environment that is conducive to learning and supports strong family and community partnerships, including:

a. Engagement opportunities for parents and family members of students of all ages and learning levels;

b. Parent activities throughout the school year to help parents support their children's learning;

c. Curricular and learning materials made available to parents, consistent with copyright licensure of such materials;

d. Frequent communication of school performance, student progress, and learning plans, using both print and online formats;

e. Initiating community-based developmental activities that prepare students for school and promote ongoing achievement;

f. Promoting collaboration among parents, schools, and community on school improvement and student achievement projects;

g. Development of a sustained plan to harness relevant community resources, including but not limited to organizations, businesses, talented individuals, natural resources, and technology, to engage each student in achieving necessary skills and knowledge; and

h. Development of business partnerships to assist students in the successful transition to employment or further education;

(12) Remote learning as provided in Ed 306.18;

(13) Providing alternative means of demonstrating proficiency of competencies resulting in the awarding of credit for a high school diploma or equivalent;

(14) Homeless students;

(15) Supporting the physical and emotional health needs of students and providing appropriate interventions;

(16) Supporting the availability and distribution of healthy foods and beverages in all schools, including standards for nutrient dense foods and beverages as identified and defined by 7 CFR Part 210.10;

(17) Air quality in school buildings as required by RSA 200:48;

(18) Promoting students from one learning level or grade to another based on achievement of competencies in alignment with the district's academic standards as approved consistent with RSA 193-E:2-a, IV;

(19) How high school credit is awarded to students based upon achievement of competencies:

a. Regardless of age or enrollment status; and

b. Pursuant to the requirements enumerated in Ed 306.22;

(20) How students can graduate early, which outlines:

a. The requirement of parental or guardian involvement for students under the age of 18;

b. The approval process by the high school principal if it is determined that all state and local graduation requirements will be met; and

c. How, upon meeting local graduation requirements, the student is awarded a high school diploma;

(21) Basic learning standards, including:

a. Homework, including how it is accessed and assessed;

b. Promotion of students from one learning level or grade to another based on achievement of competencies;

c. Digital literacy;

d. How students can pursue various learning opportunities, including:

1. Advanced placement (AP) courses;

2. Career-related credentials and certifications;

3. Dual and concurrent enrollment in college courses; and

4. Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) and learn everywhere programs;

e. How students can pursue ELOs and career readiness activities, addressing:

1. The administration and supervision of the programs;

2. How licensed school personnel oversee an individual student's curriculum;

3. The requirement that each ELO aligns to competencies;

4. Access to ELOs by middle school students;

5. How high school credit is awarded through ELOs; and

6. How students can include summer activities;

f. For schools with grades K-8, the offering of one or more world languages, including:

1. The extent of the world language instruction; and

2. The students to whom the world language(s) is offered; and

g. No later than the 2025-2026 academic year for schools with grades K-5, the offering of a computer science program, including:

1. The extent of the computer science courses offered; and

2. The students to whom the classes are offered;

(22) Exploration of career pathways in a developmentally appropriate manner, no later than the 2025-2026 academic year; and

(23) Developmentally appropriate daily physical activity pursuant to Ed 310. The policy shall be in addition to and shall not replace the physical education program requirement.

Notes

N.H. Admin. Code § Ed 306.04

Amended by Volume XXXIV Number 16, Filed April 17, 2014, Proposed by #10556, Effective 3/27/2014, Expires3/27/2024. Amended by Volume XXXIX Number 37, Filed September 12, 2019, Proposed by #12845, Effective 8/9/2019, Expires 8/9/2029. Amended by Number 2, Filed January 9, 2025, Proposed by #14150, Effective 12/13/2024, Expires 12/13/2034 (See Revision Notes #1, #2, #3, and #4 at part heading for Ed 306).