New Hampshire School Climate Policy

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

New Hampshire has 167 school districts that support 481 schools. There are 164,772 students enrolled in K-12 public schools as of October 2021. An average of 21% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. New Hampshire has one policy directly addressing school climate in which it requires school districts to administer non-academic surveys or questionnaires to students. New Hampshire has policies regarding bullying prevention, emergency response drills, suicide prevention, and social-emotional learning. There is one policy addressing respect for diversity. A Suicide Prevention policy was enacted in 2020, where faculty is trained on youth suicide prevention. New Hampshire has a Digital Literacy Program that implements the development of 21st-century technology skills.

 

Safety

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 186:11 Duties of State Board of Education.

School districts are required to adopt a policy governing the administration of non-academic surveys or questionnaires to students. Families will be notified about the non-academic survey and its purpose.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2021/


Who does this protect? Students, Administrators, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-F:3 Definitions.

Provides a definition of bullying and cyberbullying as well as behaviors associated with these definitions.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-f/section-193-f-3/

 New Hampshire asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it

  • New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-F:4 Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-f/section-193-f-4/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-F:3 Definitions.

Provides a definition of bullying and cyberbullying as well as behaviors associated with these definitionshttps://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-f/section-193-f-3/ New Hampshire asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it:

  • New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-F:4 Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-f/section-193-f-4/


Who does this protect? Students, Teachers

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 189:64 Emergency Response Plans. 

  • Every public chartered public, and nonpublic school shall develop a site-specific school emergency response plan addressing acts of violence, threats, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, structural fire, wildfire, internal and external hazardous materials releases, medical emergencies, and any other hazard deemed necessary by school officials and local emergency authorities
  • The plan shall provide that at least 4 of the currently required number of fire evacuation drills shall be emergency, all-hazard response drills of which at least one shall test the emergency response to an armed assailant

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-189/section-189-64/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193:13 Emergency Response Plans.

Prohibits students from possessing firearms in schools

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193/section-193-13/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 186:11 Duties of State Board of Education.

Require each school district in the state to which a school resource officer is assigned

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-186/section-186-11/


Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.04 Policy Development. 

  • The policy relative to absenteeism shall not penalize students who miss class or a required school event because of a school scheduling conflict. Districts shall implement a cooperative approach that places responsibility for notification when a student is tardy, absent, or dismissed on both the parents/guardians and the school.
  • Develop a policy that incorporates elements of character and citizenship in courses of study or instilled, by example, in a caring educational environment. Elements of character and citizenship like self-discipline, self-respect, etc. 

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-04/

New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.25 Comprehensive School Psychological Services.

The school psychologist shall provide comprehensive psychological services throughout various learning environments to help children and youth develop academic, social, behavioral, and emotional competence.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-25/

Schools should provide students with opportunities for social development and encourage participation in clubs, athletics, performing groups, and service to the school and the community.

  • New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.261 Kindergarten – Grade 8 School Curriculum, July 1, 2017.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-261/

  • New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.27 High School Curriculum, Credits, Graduation Requirements, and Cocurricular Program.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-27/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 186:11 Duties of State Board of Education.

Provide information about youth suicide prevention to all public and private schools to facilitate the delivery of appropriate courses and programs.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-186/section-186-11/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-J:2 – Suicide Prevention Education.

Each school district and chartered public school shall develop a policy that guides the development and implementation of a coordinated plan to prevent, assesses the risk of, intervene in and respond to suicide.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-j/section-193-j-2/


Who does this protect? Students and Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Teaching/Learning

New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.04 Policy Development.

The policy relative to absenteeism shall not penalize students who miss class or a required school event because of a school scheduling conflict. Districts shall implement a cooperative approach that places responsibility for notification when a student is tardy, absent, or dismissed on both the parents/guardians and the school.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-04/

New Hampshire has policies for special education

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 186-C:3 – Division of Learner Support; Special Education; Programs and Services.

Hire and assign such personnel or contract for services to perform responsibilities required under state or federal special education law,

  • Including, but not limited to, monitoring, compliance, and technical assistance and support to school districts.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-186-c/section-186-c-3/

  • New Hampshire Revised Statutes 186-C:1 – Policy and Purpose.

All children in New Hampshire be provided with equal educational opportunities. It is the purpose of this chapter to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-186-c/section-186-c-1/


Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.261 Kindergarten – Grade 8 School Curriculum, July 1, 2017.

Provide students with opportunities to engage in service learning

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-261/

New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.27 High School Curriculum, Credits, Graduation Requirements, and Cocurricular Program.

The curriculum should encourage service learning

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-27/


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Interpersonal Relationships

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-F:2 – Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of developing policies against bullying is to protect students from being discriminated against based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry or ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability, gender, gender identity and expression, obesity, or other distinguishing personal characteristics.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-f/section-193-f-2/


Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities, students of color, LGBTQ+ students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

 New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-J:2 – Suicide Prevention Education.

Training school faculty and staff, including contracted personnel and designated school volunteers, in youth suicide risk factors, warning signs, protective factors, response procedures, referrals, post-intervention, and resources available within the school and community.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-j/section-193-j-2/

 New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-F:5 Training and Assessment.

Training for school employees, regular school volunteers, or employees of a company under contract to a school, school district, or chartered public school who have significant contact with pupils to prevent, identify, respond to, and report incidents of bullying or cyberbullying.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-f/section-193-f-5/


Who does this protect? Staff and Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.04 Policy Development. 

  • The policy relative to absenteeism shall not penalize students who miss class or a required school event because of a school scheduling conflict. Districts shall implement a cooperative approach that places responsibility for notification when a student is tardy, absent, or dismissed on both the parents/guardians and the school.
  • Develop a policy that incorporates elements of character and citizenship in courses of study or instilled, by example, in a caring educational environment. Elements of character and citizenship like self-discipline, self-respect, etc. 

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-04/

New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.25 Comprehensive School Psychological Services.

The school psychologist shall provide comprehensive psychological services throughout various learning environments to help children and youth develop academic, social, behavioral, and emotional competence.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-25/

Schools should provide students with opportunities for social development and encourage participation in clubs, athletics, performing groups, and service to the school and community.

  • New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.261 Kindergarten – Grade 8 School Curriculum, July 1, 2017.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-261/

  • New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.27 High School Curriculum, Credits, Graduation Requirements, and Cocurricular Program.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-27/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 186:11 Duties of State Board of Education.

Provide information about youth suicide prevention to all public and private schools to facilitate the delivery of appropriate courses and programs.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-186/section-186-11/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-J:2 – Suicide Prevention Education.

Each school district and chartered public school shall develop a policy that guides the development and implementation of a coordinated plan to prevent, assess the risk of, intervene in and respond to suicide.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-j/section-193-j-2/

 


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Institutional Environment

  New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.04 Policy Development.

Schools shall strive to involve parents and family members of students of all ages and learning levels.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-04/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-H:4. Local Education Improvement Plan; Strategic Responses.

Establish and explain a strategy designed to promote family and community involvement.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193-h/section-193-h-4/


Who does this protect? Parents, Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

   New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 189:64 Emergency Response Plans. 

  • Every public, chartered public, and nonpublic school shall develop a site-specific school emergency response plan addressing acts of violence, threats, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, structural fire, wildfire, internal and external hazardous materials releases, medical emergencies, and any other hazard deemed necessary by school officials and local emergency authorities.
  • The plan shall provide that at least 4 of the currently required number of fire evacuation drills shall be emergency, all-hazard response drills of which at least one shall test emergency response to an armed assailant.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-189/section-189-64/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193:13 Emergency Response Plans.

Prohibits students from possessing firearms in schools.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-193/section-193-13/

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 186:11 Duties of State Board of Education.

Require each school district in the state to which a school resource officer is assigned.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2020/title-xv/title-186/section-186-11/


Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

   New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.27 High School Curriculum, Credits, Graduation Requirements, and Co-curricular Program.

Schools should make activities and services that afford students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate available. 

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-27/


Who does this protect? Students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Social Media

New Hampshire Administrative Rules Ed 306.42 Digital Literacy Program.

The program is for grades 1 through 12 and the purpose is to;

  • Develop knowledge of ethical, responsible use of technology tools in a society that relies heavily on knowledge of the information in its decision-making.
  • Become proficient in the use of 21st-century tools to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information within the context of the core subjects.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/new-hampshire/ed/chapter-ed-300/part-ed-306/ed-306-42/


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in New Hampshire. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School

There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relations in New Hampshire. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School

Sources include: nasbe.org and childtrends.org