
2nd Annual High School Penguin Plunge
Nearly 300 high school students took the Penguin Plunge Saturday, February 6, 2010. The event benefits Special Olympics New Hampshire, which provides sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental challenges. This was the second time the High School Plunge has been held as a precursor to the annual Penguin Plunge. Special Olympics Director of Development Carol Cray said there were about 140 additional participants in this year's High School Plunge. Cray said the event has not only sparked good-natured rivalries between high schools in the state, but it has also served as an effective way to educate teenagers about those with special needs. More information about the HS Plunge can be found at www.firstgiving.com/sonh.


FALL 2009 NECAP RESULTS
The results of the Fall 2009 New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) for grades three through eight and high school were released today by Commissioner of Education Virginia M. Barry, Ph.D. Commissioner Barry was pleased to note that New Hampshire schools have again made strong progress in helping students meet challenging standards in reading, mathematics, and writing.
For school and district information, visit the NH School District Profile.
For the Press Release and additional information, visit 2009 NECAP Results and Information.
Governor Lynch, Commissioner Barry Announce
30 Percent Drop in High School Dropout Rate
A report released by the State Department of Education shows that for school year 2008-2009 the four-year cumulative dropout rate is 6.7 percent, down from 9.7 percent last year. The annual rate decreased to 1.7 percent from 2.5 percent in 2007-2008 more...
For more information about dropout prevention programs contact Paul Leather at (603) 271-3801 or pleather@ed.state.nh.us. For more information about the rate calculation contact Irene Koffink at (603) 271-3865 or Irene.koffink@ed.state.nh.us.
NH School Districts Receive Grants to Transform Their Schools Into 21st Century Classrooms
Twenty-two school districts have been awarded grants of approximately $145,000 each from the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology Program (NCLB Title II-D) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
2009 NH Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results Released
The YRBS is one component of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This system was designed to focus the nation on behaviors among youth related to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among both youth and adults and to assess how these risk behaviors change over time. more... |
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Mission...
"To provide educational leadership and services
which promote equal educational opportunities and quality
practices and programs that enable New Hampshire residents
to become fully productive members of society."

Draft K-12 Common Core State Standards Available for Comment
Draft K-12 Common Core State Standards have been developed through a joint project of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). On March 10th they were released publicly in order to receive feedback from the general public, parents, educators at all levels, and organizations representing a wide range of interests. These standards seek to provide a clear consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce. more...
New England Secondary School Consortium (NESSC)
Encompassing Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, the New England Secondary School Consortium is a regional partnership aimed at transforming high schools for the 21st century. more...
Persistently Lowest-Achieving Schools Definition and List
NH was required to develop this definition and list as a commitment within the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund requirements. This is a list that has been referenced in recent US Department of Education grant applications, but it is important to note that each grant has specific guidance as to the use of this definition and list.
It is also important to note that many, if not all, of the schools on this list have shown improvements over recent years and have many high quality programs, staff members and dedicated students. This list is based solely on academic performance based on NECAP scores only.
PreK-16 Numeracy Action Plan for the 21st Century
In the spring of 2008, quantitative literacy was established as a priority for New Hampshire students by the New Hampshire State Board of Education. NH DOE and the New Hampshire Quantitative Literacy Task Force have produced a PreK-16 Numeracy Action Plan for the 21st Century. At the State Board Meeting on February 10, the Board accepted the Numeracy Plan. Beginning with the NH Teachers of Mathematics Conference on April 6, the Department will be holding sessions throughout the state to introduce educators to the plan and work toward implementation. This version includes active links to other resources and documents.
On May 1, 2010, NEA-New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Department of Education will host the fourth annual NEA-NH/NH DOE Job Fair at NH Technical Institute in Concord. Last year’s job fair attracted over 350 participants and several districts were able to fill critical openings through interaction with job fair candidates. We invite school districts to participate in this opportunity to connect with potential applicants and to recruit educators for teaching and support positions that districts have open for the 2010-2011 school year. If your school district or school building is interested in participating please complete the registration information. There is no cost for registering or for participating in the job fair.
Registration Form and Contact Information
Transforming New Hampshire Education
Commissioner Virginia Barry is leading the Department through a process to transform NH's educational system. Addressing four broad areas: Standards and Assessments, Effective Teachers and Leaders, Data Systems, and Turnaround of Struggling Schools, the Department is drawing on reform strategies that have demonstrated improvement across the state, as well as envisioning new, innovative efforts. Click here to view the powerpoint presentation
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Board Examination/Move On When Ready Systems
On November 6, 2009, Marc Tucker, Executive Director of the National Center for Education and the Economy, met with interested New Hampshire school administrators and others to discuss his proposal of Board Examination/Move On When Ready Systems. His talk outlined possible pathways a state might take and described details of implementation. Click here to view the powerpoint presentation.
The New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE) has been working with other agencies to provide information about the H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu). This information can be found on the H1N1 Web site.
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