So, Grokster Ann Marie put in a lengthy RSA 91-A Right to Know demand to SAU 16’s Superintendent, David Ryan concerning the use of Social Emotional Learning and/or social media spying software. Here are the non-response responses (thus far) -Skip:
From: David Ryan <dryan@sau16.org>
Date: Fri, Jun 26, 2020 at 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: RTK request on psychological evaluations on students
To: Ann Marie Banfield <banfieldannmarie@gmail.com>
Cc: <redacted>Good afternoon Ann Marie. I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request. I have attached a document that responds to those items that qualify under NH RSA 91-A:4, VII.
Item #19 was not readily available at the time of this email. Once the item is obtained, it will be forwarded to you in a reasonable period of time and most likely after the Independence Day holiday.
1) Is there an organization that is providing the DESSA program and, at what cost to the school district?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
Note the dodge – all the school systems seem to do this – they won’t answer a simple question. Here’s a different way of asking “what is the GL account line item being used for paying for this program? How much of the amount approved at Town Meeting has already been expended?” Just by the construction, an actual answer is required instead of the dodge. -Skip
2) Is the DESSA or any other SEL program part of any research conducted on students? If so, what is the purpose of this research on the students in the SAU? Who will receive the data? Please provide a copy of the contract, which should include a student- privacy statement.
(First three questions) NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
(Request) There is no such document.
3) What, if any, federal or state laws govern this research in terms of privacy protections for subjects on any SEL program used in the school district?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
4) Is there a code of ethics that the teachers or other personnel will follow while administering the DESSA screening or any other SEL program? Are these individuals licensed? If so, how are they licensed? What criteria must they meet in order to obtain their license?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
5) Are there any other materials or programs besides the DESSA that will provide you with student data on social and emotional learning?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
6) Do you have any information on the number of false-positives that come from this type of screening? Have you analyzed this and if so, what were the recommendations? What kind of ramifications come from a student who is flagged as suicidal or other emotional problems but is
actually flagged by mistake? How is this handled?NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
7) Please provide a copy of the privacy agreement between the district and Social Sentinel.
The NHSDPA with Social Sentinel is attached.
8) Please provide a copy of the parental consent form for students to participate in the DESSA screening or any other SEL program.
There is no such document.
9) How will the district develop a plan to evaluate the Multi-Tiered System of Support? Will this be done by an independent researcher and peer reviewed? If so, what code of ethics would the researchers have to follow while conducting research on the mental health of the students in the district?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
10) Please provide documentation and/or agreement with 2Rev along with any agreement for compensation.
The contract with 2Revolutions is attached.
11) Who will have access to the data compiled by DESSA? How long will the district store the data?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
12) Is there a protocol for a breach of data? If so, please provide that information.
SAU16 policies are already public documents and can be found at www.sau16.org.
13) Who is responsible if any sensitive information is released by school personnel? Would parents be contacted and informed? Is this in a school policy? If so, please provide that written policy.
SAU16 policies are already public documents and can be found at www.sau16.org.
14) Please provide the school policy on mental health screenings and treatment, and the professional credentials and licensing of those providing these mental health services.
SAU16 policies are already public documents and can be found at www.sau16.org.
15) Provide the school policy that states how each child’s sensitive data will be secured.
SAU16 policies are already public documents and can be found at www.sau16.org.
16) Provide the peer reviewed/independent research on any program used to diagnose or treat SEL issues?
All peer-reviewed and independent research on SEL programs is already available either publicly and/or through research databases.
17) Who administers the DESSA screenings in the school? What are their professional credentials?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
18) Who then administers the treatment if a child is flagged for needing the additional support/treatment? Their credentials?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.19) Provide a copy of ALL questions that are asked to screen students in your school district for every grade level.
Questions will be sent under separate cover in a reasonable amount of time.
20) Provide a copy of the contract between the school district and the SEL vendors.
There is no such document.
21) Provide a copy of the permission slip sent to parents/guardians requesting their consent to screen or assess their child on SEL. What, if any, information did you provide to parents on the vendor who is providing this service?
There is no such document.
22) Did the school board members vote to approve of mental health screenings for all students? If so, when did that vote take place?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer
questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this
chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile,
cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or
reported by that body or agency.23) Did the legal team provide any details on the possibilities of a malpractice lawsuit or something similar, that could arise if a child who is being treated by the school district, acts out in a violent way or harms themselves or others? If so, what kind of information was provided to the administration and/or school board members?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
24) Is the SEL program being provided though a grant or is there any financial compensation to the district ? If so, what are the details? Was it provided free of charge?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
25) If children become research subjects, have their families been offered any sort of compensation? If not, why not?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
26) Are copies of all SEL assessments and or screenings sent to parents so they can review what is being asked of their children?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
27) Provide the ethical guidelines the district currently uses when conducting research on children and/or assessing their mental health.
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
28) What are the current school board policies addressing mental health screenings/treatment in the school ?
SAU16 policies are already public documents and can be found at www.sau16.org.
29) What are the current school board policies guiding research on students ?
SAU16 policies are already public documents and can be found at www.sau16.org.
30) What credentials or licenses in child psychology do the staff members have, who were trained to administer SEL/DESSA?
NH RSA 91-A requires public organizations to produce governmental records, not answer questions. Specifically under RSA 91-A:4, VII, the law provides: VII. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a public body or agency to compile, cross-reference, or assemble information into a form in which it is not already kept or reported by that body or agency.
Thank you.
__________________________
David Ryan, Ed.D. / Superintendent of Schools
dryan@sau16.org / 603.775.8653SAU 16
30 Linden StreetExeter, NH 03833
www.sau16.org
