Story Archives of 'Charter Schools'

Charter Schools and the Chopping Block

By Laura Knoy on Monday, June 8, 2009.

Charter schools have long struggled to gain a foothold here in New Hampshire. Now there’s a new challenge for them: a proposed cap in the number of students who can enroll and the possibility of “laying off” other students currently attending. We’ll talk about this proposal and the future of charter schools.

Guests

  • Bill Wilmot, head of school at the Seacoast Charter School in Kingston
  • Rick Trombly, director of public affairs for the National Education Association - New Hampshire

We'll also hear from

  • Maggie Hassan, Democratic state senator from Exeter and Senate majority leader
  • Lou D'Allesandro, Democratic state senator from Manchester and chair of the Senate Finance Committee
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Charter School Funding

By Laura Knoy on Monday, March 3, 2008.

As federal start-up grants for local charter schools dwindle, many are looking to the state to keep them afloat. But given the current budget shortfall, there’s still debate over whether to throw them a life vest. This week could be make-or-break for several charter schools in the Granite State. We’ll look at where new funds could come from and discuss possible solutions to the charter school crisis.

Guests

The Challenges of Charter Schools

By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, October 30, 2007.

Three years after the state’s first Charter School opened...these alternative public schools show a mixed report card. A few are thriving, but others struggle with perennial funding issues...and for some, this legislative session could be make-or-break for their futures.

Guests

  • Kimberly Casey, Democratic State Representative from East Kingston, Member of the House Education Committee and Chair of the Charter School Oversight Committee
  • Mark Joyce, Executive Director for the NH School Administrators Association
  • Bill Wilmot, Head of School for the Seacoast Charter School in Exeter and Consultant on Charter Schools in New Hampshire. Bill also spent time in Massachusetts as a consultant and teacher for charter schools and ran the middle school portion of a charter school there as well.

New Hampshire to Open First Cyber High School

By Dianne Finch on Monday, September 17, 2007.

Some high school students in the state may soon be competing with their parents for use of the home office.

That's if those students choose to attend the state's first charter school in cyber-space.

The virtual high school is scheduled to open in January, offering online high school classes and degrees.

Proponents say that cyber schools provide flexibility.

Critics worry that students will lose the social interaction that old fashioned brick & mortar schools offer.

NHPR's Dianne Finch has more.

Richardson on Gun Control and School Reform

By Jon Greenberg on Friday, August 31, 2007.

Throughout the presidential primary we are offering excerpts of the candidates taking questions from voters at house parties and town hall meetings. We present these with minimal editing so that you can get the flavor of how these Democrats and Republicans come across in person. New Mexico governor, Democrat Bill Richardson was in Exeter, the location of our series, Primary Place. He was asked to explain his position on gun control.

Seacoast Charter Struggles For Funding

By Sheryl Rich-Kern on Tuesday, June 26, 2007.

New Hampshire’s first charter school opened its doors three years ago.

There are now fourteen approved charters - they rely solely on state adequacy aid and federal start-up grants.

But the start-up money is running out, making it difficult for institutions like the Seacoast Charter School in Exeter to stay afloat.

NHPR Correspondent Sheryl Rich-Kern reports.

New Hampshire May Soon Have a Science and Technology Charter School

By Sheryl Rich-Kern on Sunday, June 17, 2007.

New Hampshire’s first charter school to concentrate on science, math, engineering, and design is scheduled to open this fall.

The new Academy for Science and Design will be free and is accepting applications from students across the state.

Some residents are hoping a more flexible curriculum will better prepare students for jobs in technology.

NHPR Correspondent Sheryl Rich-Kern files this report.

Charter Schools Search for Funding

By Laura Knoy on Wednesday, February 8, 2006.

A bill winding its way through the state house would allow charter schools to receive financial aid directly from the state giving them the assistance they say is necessary to stay afloat. But the idea has its critics who ask why public schools should compete with charter schools for limited resources. We’ll look at the debate. Laura is joined by Amy Quinton, Education Reporter at NHPR, State Representative John Hunt, sponsor of the charter school bill, and Roberta Tenney, Administrator for School Standards at the New Hampshire Department of Education. We will also hear from Emily Hamilton, Head of School and Lead Teacher at the Seacoast Charter School.

Proposed Charter School Would Focus on Sciences

By Amy Quinton on Monday, January 30, 2006.

Seven charter schools are now open or approved to open in the state.
Charter school advocates are hoping to add another one to the list: the Academy of Science and Design.
If approved, it would be the first charter school that focuses on science, math and engineering.
And it would also be the first one sponsored by a college.
New Hampshire Public Radio’s Amy Quinton reports.

NH Charter Schools One Year Later

By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, June 21, 2005.

Last summer, New Hampshire's first charter school in Franklin opened its doors, now as its first school year ends six charter schools stand. Schools have begun to boast of the success of its students yet the year has not been without its major challenges? difficulties in state aid and negativity by certain school boards have left some of these schools uncertain about their futures. Today on the Exchange we look back at the last year of charter schools in our state and look forward to what their futures might hold. Laura's guests are Amy Quinton, NHPR's Education reporter. Roberta Tenney, Administrator for school standards for the New Hampshire Department of Education who oversees Charter, Choice, Home Schooling and Non-Public Education. Bill Grimm, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Founder of the Franklin Career Academy, the state's first Charter School. Patrice Baker, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Seacoast Charter School in Exeter. Mark Joyce, Execuitve Director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association and Lisa Lavoie, Director of the North Country Charter Academy in Littleton and Lancaster.

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