Newsletter Update #31, October 31st, 2005 IN THIS EDITION: NEW SCHOOL MODELS AROUND THE COUNTRY New and different small schools are evolving nationwide. They assure more students thrive. They address overcrowding. They address specific age groups or populations. They provide smaller, more engaging settings. They can address students at risk for all kinds of reasons, including being bright and underchallenged. The best of the new schools inspire us and provide models to reproduce. Smaller, mission-driven schools of choice are co-existing alongside larger, comprehensive schools. Who is providing leadership to create these new, mission-driven schools? Leaders!-- legislators, governors,…people who understand education’s impact on our future. We've profiled 6 interesting school models. See below: RYDER TRUCK’s CHARTER SCHOOL (in a business complex) Florida was the first state passing legislation so businesses could open charter schools giving preference to employees' children. Ryder Elementary Charter School (RECS) was the first charter school based in the American workplace (1999). Goals for Florida's charter schools include reducing overcrowding and offsetting high costs of facility construction. Ryder, the truck leasing and rental company, invested $3.75 million to create the 30,000 square foot school. In 2004, RECS was profiled by the US Department of Education. The school's downtown Miami industrial location attracts children whose parents work for other area companies--U.S. Southern Command, Carnival Cruise Lines, Air Jamaica, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Ryder. Having parents close by offers benefits to both businesses and children. Now called Renaissance Academy, this business-affiliated charter school was ranked "A" by Florida in 2003-2004 as one of the highest performing elementary schools in Dade County. For more information on workplace-based schools, go to: http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/workplace.cfm
INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND MATH (on a college campus) This two-year residential public high school is located at Ball State University’s campus in Muncie, Indiana. This Science/Math Academy serves 300 11th- and 12th-grade students. Funding is a line item in the college’s budget (the state’s per pupil cost for each student). One on-campus dorm provides residence for students who pay the residence fee. Students have access to the Ball State University campus, library, computer labs, wellness facilities and numerous other programs. New Hampshire is one of the few states without a science/math/engineering high school, but a proposal is in the works. Contact Us, if interested. RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLS Recovery High Schools serve students recovering from misuse of drugs and alcohol. Students commit to staying sober. The schools provide a safe and controlled environment and a standard high school program. Massachusetts is opening its first Recovery High as early as January 2006, either within a school or as a charter school. There are 25 Recovery High Schools across the country. EASTER SEALS CHARTER SCHOOL, FOR 3-5 YEAR OLDS Easter Seals opened this charter school August 2005, serving children 3-5 in an inclusive environment. Children with disabilities will learn and grow alongside their more typical peers. Integrated early childhood charter schools are unique. NH school districts are required to serve children needing special education at ages 3-5. MAST MARITIME HIGH SCHOOL The MAST Academy has a maritime theme and is a nationally-recognized as a U.S. Department of Education New American High School Showcase Site and Blue Ribbon School of Excellence! MAST is a Florida public school of choice for 500 students grades 9-12 and has a unique career specialty focus. Speaking of unique career specialties, we want to identify schools with programs in aeronautics. Please contact us if you know of any. VIRGINIA BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACADEMY PROGRAM Imagine elementary, middle school, and high school academy programs as part of a city’s public school system. Virginia Beach has seven high school academies: Health Sciences Academy at Bayside High School; the International Baccalaureate Program at Princess Anne High School; the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School; the Mathematics and Science Academy at Ocean Lakes High School; the Technology Academy at Landstown High School, the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School, and the Global Studies Academy at Tallwood High School. NEW RADIO SHOWS POSTED Check out our recent SCHOOL TALK radio shows on: Education Legislation, 1994-2004; Right to Know Law; New Hampshire Community Technical Colleges; Kimball Jenkins’ School of Art in Concord. Got a show to recommend? Contact us. ALARMING SCIENCE EDUCATION PANEL REPORT The most recent national report on science and engineering strongly warns that the United States must stress science education to sustain world leadership and the national economy. While covered in major US papers and journals (Washington Post), a most comprehensive review came from outside the United States. New Hampshire does not have a science high school, which in other states serve as training centers for science teachers and research and development labs for teaching science. Denver’s new Science High Charter School is created under Colorado's charter school law. They apparently received millions in business philantrophy. What's happening in American education? See our blog Legislation Watch--Meetings and Dates Visit our Legislation Watch web pages and stay informed. We have a section just to follow bills related to education funding, bills about charter schools, and bills carried over from last year. Wed. 10/19/05: House Education Committee meets for work session on education funding. 10:00 a.m., Room 208, Legislative Office Building, Concord. HB 292 on a town withdrawing from a 3-town school district is also at 10:00 in room 207. Tues., 10/25/05: Charter Schools and Open Enrollment Legislative Oversight Committee, Regular Meeting. 9:00 a.m., Room 103, State House, Concord. Wed., 10/26/05: Breakfast Seminar in Concord. Topic: Understanding New Hampshire's Charter School Law. Call 603-224-0366 or email to reserve a seat. Wed., 10/26/05: Subcommittee work session on HB 292, establishing a procedure for a town to withdraw from a 3-town school district. 10:00 a.m. Room 207 Thurs., 11/10/05: Full committee work session on education funding retained bills. Room 207, Legislative Office Building. 10:00 a.m. Wed., 11/16/05: Executive Session on retained bills (charter school bills were retained). Room 207, Legislative Office Building. 10:00 a.m Wed., 11/30/05: Pre-Charter Planning (Vision) Grants, Final Deadline For more information about chartered public schools, click here. To view the complete listing of new schools in New Hampshire, click here. Visit our web site. Read up on the basics of charter schools in New Hampshire. We welcome questions and suggestions. So contact us. Know someone who might like our newsletter? Let us know |