IN THIS EDITION:

DROPPING OUT
SCIENCE AND DESIGN CHARTER SCHOOL --APPROVED
SURRY VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL --APPROVED
STRONG FOUNDATIONS CHARTER SCHOOL --APPROVED
ASHUELOT VALLEY ACADEMY--FIRST VOTE DENIED
CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING IN NH
RADIO SHOW HOST--SPELLING BEE

DROPPING OUT
Every 9 seconds, another American student drops out of high school. In addition to reduced lifetime opportunities, drop-outs cost 260 billion—in lost wages, lost taxes, and lost opportunities. Staying in school is only purposeful, however, if it results in gaining a competitive education. Nationwide, charter schools are recognized as part of the drop-out solution. Read on: Whatever it Takes: How Twelve Communities Are Reconnecting Out-of-School Youth” from the American Youth Policy Forum.

Senate Bill 268 proposes raising compulsory school attendance age from 16 to 18. Currently, SB 268 does not mention charter schools as a viable option, although 5 of the state's 8 charter schools provide successful new models that engage and attract students. All these new charter schools have individual student plans and are mentoring each student to assure academic success.

SB 268 wording should be clear that charter public schools are in the fabric and financing of new initiatives. The bill has protections for exceptions, and so the heightened expectations for school completion in SB 268 should be supported.

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SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL --APPROVED
New Hampshire’s first specialty middle/high school for science, math, and engineering was approved March 14th.

The Academy for Science & Design Charter School plans to open 9/2007 with 60-75 students and grow to 450 students grades 7-12. Daniel Webster College is the key sponsor. Nashua’s Community Technical College (3 miles from Daniel Webster College) has offered co-sponsorship and space on its campus. The school's location is currently undetermined but will be on or near the I-93 corridor from Concord and Nashua.

The Academy for Science and Design program will begin physics and algebra in grade 7, will require research for graduation, and will allow students to declare majors in grades 11 and 12, choosing from 7 specialties offered by New Hampshire colleges. Philanthropy will support a 2-year fundraising effort for a school building and endowment. For an Executive Summary, click here. Read news releases. Visit the website and read charter excerpts. Sign up to receive news and become involved. There are many ways to participate--come join the synergy.

 

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SURRY VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL --APPROVED
Surry’s saga is captured on our weblog. A tiny New England town of 700 with no store—not even a post office—abruptly learns its treasured center-of-the-village, 3-room school has been closed. The regional school board, without the promised year’s notice, sent the town’s few children in 2 different directions to other rural schools. And what did Surry residents do? They all came together by knocking on doors and decided to take back control of the town children’s education.

While one group studied how to withdraw from the regional school district; another group studied charter school law. They met weekly for months discussing education values. The result? A true, old-fashioned New England village school, complete with maple sugaring training. Do read: HURRY TO SURRY. Surry could become a center for rural village education. Surry's village charter school now welcomes supporters and philanthropy. Our website has contact info.

 

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STRONG FOUNDATIONS CHARTER SCHOOL --APPROVED
What is one of the greatest struggles of schools today—assuring students learn to read. Why? Because the cost to students and taxpayers is huge when students do not leave elementary school proficient readers. Two reading specialists decided: Why not create a school where everyone uses the research-based programs that teach struggling readers to read? There would be less special education needed. Et voila—Strong Foundations Learning Academy.

 

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ASHUELOT VALLEY ACADEMY --FIRST VOTE DENIED
Few people try local authorization for NH charter schools. It’s too complicated, too time-consuming, too confusing, and very easily sabotaged at the last minute. In 1995, however, these complex procedures seemed necessary to win votes for New Hampshire’s charter school law. That was a decade ago when “charter schools” were unknown and unwanted. But now even districts that want charter schools are not using these 1995 local authorization provisions—districts are seeking state authorization instead. Local authorization provisions need revising so they are used for district-specific charter schools.

The vote lost by Ashuelot Valley Academy was not a vote to authorize a charter school. It was the first vote in local procedures to enable the district to access the enabling law that allows for the school board's non-binding review of charter school proposals. What? Wouldn't it just make sense to let school boards review proposals and THEN have local authorization votes? Read more. Congratulations to the Ashuelot Valley Academy founders for obtaining 45% voter support. We are all reminded why local authorization procedures are not used. Time for a revision.

 

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CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING IN NH
The state’s first-year schools had fantastic learning results—all met their achievement goals. All gave the state new lower-cost models for mission-driven schools that met student needs. Our chartered high schools are helping students find meaning and purpose for rigorous academics and graduation.

But the funding policy for state-authorized charter schools changed 2 or 3 times since the pilot project passed in 2003--to the detriment of students and the new model schools. State-authorization funding was at first a weighted amount of state aid, plus grants from a line item appropriation for "charter school grants." The state's original law was based on 80% of average student funding (1995).

Then, the weighted amount of state aid morphed into a fixed amount of $3500 (1/3 funding of the lowest per pupil costs in the state!). Then the "charter school grant" funds were eliminated. Then, the schools were told to go borrow their own money. Then, the districts were told to borrow or send the money. Then, an Attorney General's ruling clarified that the Department of Education could send charter schools their funding.

We'd like to advance 6 principles to guide New Hampshire charter school funding policy:

1.	energy focused on education--students and achievement, not fundraising,
2.	reasonable financial efficiency--'lower cost' is part of the NH charter school model, but at
	least 60%,
3.	legislative intent--the pilot program was for "state" charter schools,
4.	augmentative and flexible provisions--keep "charter school grants" for establishment of
	charter schools, with eligibility and distribution guidelines; keep options and incentives for collaboration,
5.	simplicity of concept and implementation,
6.	respect and responsibility--charter school students should not be disrespected by adults
	refusing them the funding the legislature allows. Sanctions and oversight responsibility must protect student rights.

Most states work out an equitable solution for chartered public school funding. It's New Hampshire's turn.

 

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RADIO SHOW HOST--SPELLING BEE
WKXL1450, Concord, wants to air a weekly Spelling Bee featuring grammar school students. If you’re enthusiastic about words and spelling and would enjoy working with elementary students, contact WKXL. This is a volunteer position requiring about two hours per week, summers excluded. No prior radio experience needed.

WKXL broadcasts SCHOOL TALK, the weekly program on education produced and hosted by Dr. Susan Hollins, Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. We've posted new shows: After School Grants; After School Programs by the YMCA at Your School; School Choice Laws, and much, much more. Learn about School Insurance, People, Grants, Laws, Schools—check it out.