Early College for New Hampshire Teens?

By Virginia Prescott on Tuesday, November 25, 2008.

An experimental education program will soon be tested in New Hampshire. State school officials want to administer a new rigorous state board of exams to some tenth graders that – if passed – would allow the students to start attending community or technical college two years early. That could mean some students would be able to graduate after the tenth grade, or keep attending high school while working on their undergraduate degree.

This was a key recommendation from a national panel called the "New Commission on Skills of the American Workforce." The panel released a report that said the U.S. must overhaul its education system drastically to stay competitive globally. Yet some say early graduation exacerbates existing socioeconomic gaps.

Lyonel Tracy, New Hampshire's Commissioner for Education, joins us on the line to explain. Click here to read more on the idea.

(Photo by Drew)

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When I was college freshman there was a 16 year old kid who was right there with us.

This is a new spin on an old idea, if the kids can handle an early start on more difficult work then we should allow them the early start.

The problem is that some people are getting confused that this is a get out of school free test. From what I understand it is not, the test simply formalizes the process for those rare students who are able to push themselves to college level work a year or two earlier than the average kid.

With school budgets breaking at the seams perhaps it's not a bad thing that we encourage those who are truly capable to join the ranks of the college bound when they are ready or should we spend $5,000 to $7,000 a year to pen the kids up and make them wait?

Submitted by Christopher Bergeron on Wed, 11/26/2008 - 10:01.

Idea Smackdown: Round III

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Word of Mouth is all about what's new. Online and on-air, the show looks at our fascinating and ever-changing world, and puts the latest ideas under a microscope. Word of Mouth investigates everything from science and technology, to health and the environment, to new trends in popular culture. The show airs Monday through Thursday at noon and is hosted by Virginia Prescott.