New Hampshire Center for School Reform

Newsletter Update

September 5, 2004

We are pleased to bring attention to New Hampshire's progress.

 

IN THIS EDITION WE FEATURE SCHOOLS OPENING-Iraq (personal testimony), and NH’s second charter school.

 

Please direct inquiries to Susan Hollins (susan@nhschoolreform.org)

 

SEACOAST CHARTER SCHOOL OPENS IN STRATHAM

On September 7th New Hampshire’s second charter school opens…a small upper elementary school with a rigorous academic program and serious arts curriculum. The new Head of School, Emily Hamilton, moved from Massachusetts for this teacher leadership opportunity. Click for Interview about School Opening.

 

 

JOYCE JOHNSON RESIGNS

After 15 years with the Department of Education, Joyce Johnson is resigning to pursue a nurse administrator career. She leaves her position working with charter schools and administering school approval programs (including charter school approval). Click for Interview
 

 

RE-OPENING SCHOOLS IN IRAQ

Strapped into a parachute seat, I was flown into Baghdad in a C130 military transport plane, with stomach-turning air maneuvers to avoid mortar and rocket attacks. I immediately began 14-hour work days, 7 days a week….  Pam Riley started a charter school in inner-city California and said it was “the hardest job I’ve ever undertaken.” Rebuilding Iraq’s education system gave her a different perspective. Full Story.

 

 

CITY SCHOOL PROBLEMS = VOUCHERS IN DC

In 17 days, 8500 families applied for vouchers to leave public schools in DC. The voucher program provides up to $7,500 per child and is supported by the legislature. But choice school programs are (the big picture) revitalizing cities, bringing families and professionals back to residential areas.  Click here.

 

 

 

CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRESS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 

In Dover, the high school for arts and technology holds a retreat this weekend to plan for a mid-year opening. Cocheco Arts & Technology Academy charter school will open January 2005 in Dover with it’s first 9th-grade class.  All students were admitted on the first admissions review date. There are still openings.

 

A Legislative Oversight Committee, after two meetings with plentiful testimony, have identified two major issues to review--funding charter schools and legislative revisions. The Department of Education will report on % of per pupil funding other states provide to charter schools. The cumbersome and unworkable local approval and other provisions will be reviewed.  http://www.nhschoolreform.org/related_legislation.htm

 

Facility woes have delayed the Laurent Clerc Academy charter school from opening as planned on September 7th. LCA is a bilingual (American Sign Language/English) charter school whose facility will be in Concord. Opening is delayed until October. Applications still being accepted.

 

City of Manchester School District staff and parents have completed a middle grades charter school proposal.  One goal is developing a school that embraces multilingual children and cultures, and offers very strong arts programs.

 

The Academy for Science, gathering momentum in the Keene region, is increasing its outreach for participants to discuss the program for a high standards academy with a very strong program in science. Their design team numbers are growing, and anyone interested is welcome to participate—even if just by reading and responding to charter application discussion.

 

 

NORTH COUNTRY ALTERNATIVE CHARTER SCHOOL OPENS
 Lisa Lavoie has worked diligently to assure the North Country's Alternative charter school opens next week. As a choice high school program, North Country Alternative Charter School planned serve up to 60 high school students in its first year, using two locations.  Conceived as an alternative to traditional high school programs, this alternative includes an individualized learning plan (ILP) for each student with regular monitoring of progress. The ILP takes into consideration the student's learning ability, needs, and motivation.

According to Lisa "Everything is going great. Both locations are opening on September 7, 2004. Our curriculum uses the Ombudsman Program. Both our locations have all approvals locally and one site is finishing renovations. Both sites will be full for this year--we had 70 applications!" Teachers are hired. The Board of Trustees is complete with parents on board. "This has been an extremely extremely busy summer!"

The North Country is extremely rural and any choice school must overcome challenges with geography and travel. This program has the support of area school superintendents.
 

 

QUESTION or COMMENT? Please visit our web site and peruse the world of New Hampshire charter schools. We update weekly and welcome your requests and suggestions.