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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. Should failing students be moved ahead a grade or be left behind? We'll look at some of the options being explored in Dover and around the state. Plus, Governor Shaheen calls on the federal government for uniform guidelines when it comes to dealing with possible exposure to anthrax. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. I'm Allison McNair. Wednesday the state released the results of its annual achievement tests. Students performed about the same as last year. We thought now would be a good time to look at how students are advancing in New Hampshire's classrooms. |
| Intro Social Promo. Return to index of stories... |
At Dover High School, nearly a fifth of the freshman class is repeating freshman year. At first, that statistic does sound shocking, but school officials say it's actually a good sign. They say it's an indication that their school is determined to end the practice of social promotion. That's when students are passed on to the next grade, even when they fail their courses. As producer Richard Ager tells us, the Dover debate over social promotion is spreading around the state. |
| Social Promotion Return to index of stories... |
Soundup: High school kids Track: At Dover High School, 18% of the first year students are actually in their second year at the school. The reason? Bite: Dover tape 1 03:57 We discovered a lot of kids came knocking on our door who were not ready for high school socially or academically. Our notion was that we need to start doing something, so we started holding kids back in the freshman year. Track: Holding students back is regarded as a wakeup call, and not as a sign the school is failing. Bite: Dover tape 1 5:14 We look at it as a sign of success because we are identifying them, that figure has always been there. Track: Two years ago, the Dover school board had its own wake-up call. Bite: Dover HS tape 2 12:55 And what we're discovering is that those children that failed middle school failed their freshman year in high school. All of them. Everyone of them failed. All those who were advanced from the 8th grade with failures. Track: So Dover decided that elementary students would not graduate to middle school and middle school students would not move on to high school unless they earned it Bite: Dover HS tape 2 6:38 There was no opposition from the school board, there was no opposition from the public. There was a lot of publicity - the opposition came from the educational establishment. And some of that opposition was fierce. Bite: Dover HS tape 2 7:56 I didn't' really perceive it as being a tough fight. I've been in tough, tough fights and I didn't perceive this one as a real tough one. I didn't use the word tough. NO. There was opposition. There continues to be opposition on the part of the educational establishment in the city. But I really feel that working with our administrative team and communicate with our educators to become more concrete in what the expectation really is, helped to clarify in some of their minds, what we're trying to do. We were really not trying to retain youngsters. We were trying to come up with a system to provide interventions to assist youngsters and give them a better chance of succeeding. Track: It hasn't been cheap. Dover now provides summer school as early as grade 4 - and after school tutoring for any students identified as being at-risk for failing. The board also passed an minimum attendance policy, adopted national tests to allow comparisons to other states, and instituted intensive evaluations of at-risk students. Often, those at risk are affected by family issues including poverty, joblessness, homelessness, and abuse of all kinds. Bite: Dover HS tape 3 14:30:34 There's some we can reach and some that we can't. Track: To the guidance councellors, the policy will help some - and can't hurt any. But in particular, one fear has not materialized. Bite: Dover HS tape 3 14:31:55 We haven't had a remarkable increase in the dropout rate which tells me that um, this fear of that happening, of driving kids away is likely not happening. Bite: Dover HS tape 3 14:32:47 I can't speak for the other councilors but the kind of comments I hear are things like, just this morning, 'I'm really doing it differently this year. I'm really trying this year. I know I messed up last year, I know I goofed off last year.' And he was talking very proudly of progress made this year, not just in academics but in behavior. Bite: Dover tape 1 01:07:40 the population we are seeing this year is a whole lot cooperative, our discipline is way down for the first month of school way down. That includes truancies, disruptions, cuts; it includes all kinds of categories. Part of that is the attention this at risk population has gotten this past year. I'm hoping that's the cause of that and it continues. Track: The impact of eliminating social promotion in Dover should be more clear by the end of this school year - when the graduates and retentions are added up. For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Other News Return to index of stories... |
And here's a look at some of the other stories making headlines around the state on Thursday. |
| NH Anthrax Return to index of stories... |
Governor Jeanne Shaheen wants to make sure the federal government avoids confusion when it comes to suspected anthrax cases. The Governor has written to Tom Ridge, director of Homeland security, to voice concern over recent events at the National Visa Center in Portsmouth. Early this week, the Centers for Disease Control asked that antibiotics be given to employees at the Visa Center because they had received mail from Washington.But the Governor says - there was no request that employees be tested or environmental tests be done in the workplace. Shaheen also says calls were made to several federal officials to find out if treatment should be given to employees at the postal facility in Manchester - which also receives mail from the same Washington facility. The Governor writes that different answers were given by different people. She suggests that there be one unified voice when it comes to issuing guidelines and information regarding anthrax exposure. |
| Netanyahu Visit Return to index of stories... |
Amid the lingering uncertainty in the Middle East, members of the public will have a chance to hear from someone who once played a key role in the peace process. Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be in New Hampshire Friday night to discuss terrorism and homeland security with U-S Senator Bob Smith. The two men will participate in a town meeting at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm's College in Goffstown. The event - which will begin at six p-m and last one hour - is open to the public. Seating - however - is limited and people are advised to arrive at least one hour early to go through security. |
| Drug Dogs Return to index of stories... |
A drug-sniffing dog soon will be sniffing around Alton's Central School. Officials there say they don't have a serious drug problem, but the random searches will show they are serious about keeping it that way. Claire Ebel, the head of the state Civil Liberties Union, says the searches would be an affront to privacy and not conducive to the education process.The dog belongs to the Alton police department. Searches will be conducted during the school day, primarily for grades seven through 12. |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
Stocks gained ground today as word came of a tentative settlement in the Microsoft antitrust suit. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
The Dow rose more than 188 points. The Nasdaq added 56 points. And the S-and-P 500 was up 24 points. |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at stocks of interest to New Hampshire investors. Autodesk was up a dollar. Fisher Scientific dropped ninety cents. General Electric rose a dollar- fifty. Raytheon was up a dollar- eighty- six. And Teradyne ended the day up just under two dollars. |
| Struggling Mills Return to index of stories... |
More news from the North Country about the owners of the paper mills in Berlin and Gorham. A motion filed in a Delaware bankruptcy court accuses American Tissue executives of reneging on their promise to resign. It also accuses American Tissue employees of removing confidential documents from their offices and trying to lure colleagues into joining a separate company owned by the two ousted executives. Once northern New Hampshire's largest employer, the company's mills have been shut down since August. The resulting layoffs have been a devastating blow to that region's economy. We'll talk more about that topic tomorrow when Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat joins us for Outlook. |
| Hospital Study Return to index of stories... |
A joint legislative panel is examining hospital business practices in the Granite State. Wednesday, the practice of hospitals directly hiring primary care physicians came under scrutiny. Doctors from Portsmouth and Exeter testified the policy tends to drive out private practices and reduce the supply of qualified specialists available to patients. But the president of Concord Hospital fended the practice, saying his hired staff of 250 physicians work much like those in private practice, and are not directed to make referrals only to his hospital. |
| Car buying Return to index of stories... |
Helped by strong demand for zero-percent financing and other incentives, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler Group reported impressive sales last month, compared to a year ago. Both G-M and Ford say sales surged more than 30 percent from a year ago. Ford, along with G-M and the Chrysler Group, began offering no-interest financing in the days after the September eleventh terror attacks as a means of jump-starting sales, which were sluggish even before the attacks. The offers were scheduled to expire Wednesday, but each of the three automakers decided they were so successful the offers would be extended until later this month. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Thursday ushered in some milder temperatures around the state. To find out how long the warmer weather will last we checked in with Katie Koster aat the Mount Washington Observatory. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Katie Koster - Observer - 2 Pictures-- Mount Washington Observatory\Thursday On The Summit\Mostly cloudy\High: 39 degrees\Peak gust: West 70 mph\Visibility: 25 miles North\Partly cloudy \Patchy fog developing\Lows: 35 to 40\Winds: Light Overnight\South\Partly Cloudy \Patchy fog developing\Lows: 40s\Winds: Light Friday\North\Cloudy \Chance of rain showers\Highs: 55 to 60\Winds: South 10 to 15 Friday\South\Partly sunny\Highs: 60s\Winds: South 10 to 15\ |
| Intro Calendar Return to index of stories... |
As we look ahead to the weekend there seems to be no shortage of things to do. From concerts to craft shows - here's a look at some events going on around the Granite State. |
| calendar Return to index of stories... |
The USAF Colonial Brass\Durham\ 11/7 603-862-2404 A Tribute to Veterans \ Keene\ 11/7 603-358-2168 Fiasco - The Gizmo Guys\Manchester\ 11/02 603-668-5588 Fall Festival Weekend\Bretton Woods\ 11/2 - 4 603-278-1000 Christmas Stocking Workshops \Laconia\ 11/3 603-524-8813 OperaFest of NH! \Wolfeboro\ 11/3 603-875-1906 Crafts Show \Portsmouth\ 11/3-4 603-528-4014 Ballet Hispanico \Concord\ 11/7 603-225-1111 |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on our program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.org. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts and participate in our daily poll. If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - Journalists from around the state join us to help give perspective to the week's headlines. We'll talk about the ongoing woes of the mills in the North Country and the latest developments as the nation's war on terrorism reaches into the Granite State. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| key: education Return to index of stories... |
Air Date/Time:11/01/01 /2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 3:49 minutes In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a report on Dover High School's fight against "social promotion", a fight which is resulting in nearly one fifth of the freshman class repeating the grade. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Robert Pederson\Principal - Dover Air Date/Time:11/01/01 /2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 12:08 minutes In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a discussion about the controversial subject of social promotion. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Nick Skalsis\Member - Dover School Board Armand LaSelva\Superintendant - Dover Schools Dr. Sue Daigneault\Director of Guidance - Dover H.S. |
| Intro discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us to talk more about social promotion. Somersworth Superintendant Charles Ott. And by phone Commissioner of Education in NH Nick Donohue. |
| Thank guests Return to index of stories... |
Thanks Nick and Charles |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
OnCam:Ally Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. What to do with failing students? We'll look at some of the options and see which deserve a passing grade. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on Outlook. A look at the week's headlines - from the ongoing saga of the Berlin mill to latest developments on anthrax threats and the war or terrorism Tonight at 10 on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| Web Mon Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. gambling - a good bet for the Granite state or a ticket to big headaches? we'll bring you the debate Monday at 10 only on NH Public Television. |
| Wnd Monday at 10 Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook. gambling - a good bet for the Granite state or a ticket to big headaches? we'll bring you the debate Monday at 10 only on NH Public Television. |