Wednesday A. M. ~ 10:00 - 11:30

Coordinator: Katy Fralick

Contact:  katyf@plymouth.edu or (603) 868-6868

Location: Durham Community Church

September 18 – Vouchers/Tax Credits – Risky Education Policy. Presenter: Mary Giles.  In 2012 the NH Legislature passed the Education Tax Credit Bill which is dependent on revenue intended for the general fund as the Business Profit Tax or the Business Enterprise Tax and diverting it through an intermediary, non-profit, scholarship organization to be used as tuition to private schools, out-of-district public schools and possibly religious schools.  The education tax credits are essentially vouchers averaging $2500/child provided to parents.  Tax credits/vouchers of $625/child are also provided to parents choosing to home school their children.  The pros and cons of vouchers in education have been debated across the Us for over 30 years.  The NH Education Tax Credit/voucher program is in the planning stages with implementation expected in the Fall, 2013.

September 25 – Current Trends in Education. Presenter: Dr. Virginia Barry, N.H. Commissioner of Education.  The New Hampshire Commissioner of Education will speak to us about current trends in education including the Common Core Standards.  There will be ample time for questions.

October 2 – The Whys and Wherefores of Preparing Educators in New Hampshire. Presenters: Ann Marie Jones and Joanne Baker, N.H. Educators.  How to the NH professionals who teach your children/grandchildren prepare to be educators?  Two longtime NH educators will take you through the process used to prepare teachers, including the developing and monitoring of the state standards used to govern this preparation.

October 9 – Confronting Bullying Through the Arts. Presenter: Dr. Trish Lindberg, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of TIGER (Theater Integrating Guidance, Education and Responsibility).  Dr. Lindgerg will discuss the use of theatre and music to promote bullying prevention in schools.  Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and enter into an arts activity to further their understanding of the power of bullying.