As schools begin the shift to providing mental health services, parents need to be aware of some big problems that have been uncovered. Personally identifiable mental health information on students has already been shared, but schools are still failing to acquire informed parental consent for their child’s mental health assessments and services.
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Parental Consent
Mental Health Data on Children is Leaving Schools Without Parental Knowledge or Consent
After a hearing to re-fund the Multi-Tiered System of Support so that schools in New Hampshire can continue assessing, and treating the mental health of students, I sent this email to Lisa White, Director of Instruction for the NH Department of Education.
Complaint Filed in SAU50 Over SEL Social and Emotional Learning–Failure to Obtain Parental Consent
Dear Ms. Fenton;
Please review the following emails I sent to the Superintendent in SAU50 regarding the Social and Emotional Learning taking place in the district. There is a difference of opinion on what constitutes assessing and servicing the mental health of children through SEL.
Greenland Counselor Misleading Parents on SEL/Psychological Profiling ?
It is amazing how school officials are SELLING parents on submitting their children to psychological practices and evaluations in school. Do they receive training on how to sell snake oil?
Breaking: School Vaxes 6 Year Old After Parent Told Them Not to Vaccinate His Son
Here is the story from a rather (and rightfully so!) irate Dad who PREVIOUSLY told the school that he did NOT want his son vaccinated and was NOT giving the Administration at Academy School in Brattleboro, VT permission.
Unvaccinated Students at High School Prom “Numbered” with a Sharpie – Tracked All Night
Recently a School Board Member and State Representative from Brentwood posted a disturbing message on social media about students who attended the Prom in Exeter (SAU16).
Massachusetts: 16-Year-Olds Can Get Abortions Without Parental Consent
Maskachusetts Governor Lockdown Charlie Parker (Baker), in a meaningless gesture, vetoed the bill. But the left wants what the left wants. The Democrat Majority (forever) legislature easily overrode the veto. It is now lawful for girls as young as 16 to get abortions in the Bay State without parental consent.
Bedford: Democrats Sue Mullen and Jeanne Dietsch VOTE to Exploit Children
Both Senator Jeanne Dietsch (D) and now Representative Sue Mullen (D) of Bedford have voted to remove parental consent when children take non-academic surveys in school.
If this is happening in Merrimack schools without Parental Notification, it’s probably happening in your’s.
“New Hampshire schools have redirected the purpose of school, and the primary focus is not on academics.”
Marge Chiafery, Superintendent of Schools;
I appreciate your response that you have provided and appreciate the open dialogue about data collection and social, emotional, and behavioral programming (SEL) in the state of New Hampshire. After reading the regulations for FERPA, it appears that personally identifiable information (PII) collected at the local school district level in the state of New Hampshire (i4See Data Collection system) can be shared without parents knowing about it. Knowing that social, emotional and behavioral programming is being initiated in the state, I believe the sheer magnitude of sharing sensitive, personal, and private data brings the legal issues of privacy, safety, and security to the front of my concerns. I’m sure you would agree.
Although it appears that schools and the New Hampshire Department of Education tell parents and communities that the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §1232g, is a Federal Privacy law designed to protect the privacy of students’ educational records. Regrettably, regulations were changed without Congressional authority where data mining of our children is permitted for research and development without the knowledge and consent of the parents. I believe it is important that parents are informed about this loophole in the regulations. Protecting children and families should be of utmost importance particularly if children are being used as research subjects. When you stated in your letter, “We have been, and will continue to be methodical in our research and in the application of research into practice….” your comment sheds light on exactly what is happening in our classrooms…methodical research into practice. Professional ethical protocols require informed consent when researching, assessing and treating subjects.
My Letter to Two UNH Professors on Their Inability to Follow Ethical Guidelines…
I’d like to share my letter to two UNH professors on their inability to follow ethical guidelines when administering controversial surveys to children in schools. Dear Professor Baynard and Professor Simpson: Here is a link to a news story reporting about an incident involving a parent whose child was surveyed at a school recently. In … Read more