The New Hampshire Board of Education has scheduled hearings across the state on proposed changes to the way schools operate.
The reforms include reducing class size, requiring more math credits, and offering Kindergarten in every school district.
One of those hearings took place Wednesday in Concord.
As New Hampshire Public Radio's Amy Quinton reports, speakers had mixed reactions to the proposal.
The state board of education has spent two years studying what changes should be made to New Hampshire's school system.
Speakers called some of the proposals creative, like the idea of real world learning.
It would give credit to students who learn outside the classroom and allow them more flexibility to meet the state's minimum requirements.
14-year-old Mairead McNameeKing is a gifted student at Bow High School, who's learning at a college level.
"I was not excited by the idea of taking high school freshman English because colleges are ready to waive my freshman requirement in English but in high school there's no way to challenge the high school graduation requirement. "
She told the board that she decided to forgo a diploma so she could learn at her own level.
Her mom, Brigid McNamee, says real world learning would prevent that from happening.
"real world learning is a step in the right direction because it would allow academic credit for learning outside of school..."
But some educators worry that real world learning doesn't address potential liability issues when a student learns outside the classroom.
Peggy McAllister heads the School Principals' Association.
"what if something happens, there's no fail safe that ensures that something couldn't happen and now its an approved course of study and the standards don't address that and I really think they need to."
Speakers -especially those from smaller school districts- worried about the cost of some of the proposed changes, including implementing Kindergarten.
Some educators called them unfunded mandates.
Phil McCormick is Superintendent of the Inter-lakes Cooperative School District.
"I think it's irresponsible if any organization any association in this state moves forward to adopt standards that do not understand and respect the cost impact of the standards that are being put forward."
A committee appointed by the board of education is studying the cost of each change.
Board Chairman Fred Bramanti says the board doesn't want to put financial pressure on school districts that are already struggling for funding.
But that doesn't mean the changes won't happen.
"the goal on my part is that we do not put such a price tag on this stuff that we start scratching things off things like Kindergarten and class size, because that's what will happen, some things people say we can't afford it and just not do it, that would be truly unfortunate."
Four more hearings are scheduled across the state.
The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the minimum standards and any other potential changes in March.
The standards wouldn't go into effect until June, after the Legislature has reviewed them.
For NHPR news, I'm Amy Quinton.
