New Hampshire Scholars Program
New Hampshire Scholars is a federally funded program developed and administered through a partnership between the New Hampshire College and University Council, the New Hampshire Forum on the Future, the New Hampshire Department of Education and the National State Scholars Initiative Network. The program pairs business leaders with classes of 8th grade students prior to the selection of their high school courses. Business leaders present the students with a powerful presentation that provides the rationale for the recommendation that students take a more rigorous Core Course of Study in high school. Students will contract to the program by means of a 4-year planner – a personalized education plan – to complete the recommended Core Course of Study. The State Scholars Core Course of Study is basic to acceptance at most 4-year colleges and recommended for students pursuing 2-year Degrees and Certificate Programs. It is also recommended by employers for most, if not all, potential employees entering the workplace upon graduation from high school. Research shows a strong positive correlation between the academic rigor of a student’s high school course of study and the completion of a post-secondary program of study, be it a 2-year or 4-year or certificate program. Research also shows that a high school diploma is no longer enough to attain the skill level necessary to be “successful” in life. Students learn that to attain the lifestyle they would like to lead, the next level of education – post-secondary education – becomes a necessity.