Education in New Hampshire
A Town Hall Event on School Vouchers, Privatization, and the Future of Public Education in the Granite State
Thursday, January 30th - 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Since its inception in 2021, New Hampshire's school voucher program, known as Education Freedom Accounts or EFAs, has diverted $50 million in state funds away from public schools. Despite that large price tag, questions remain about the history of efforts like this, how the program is operated, and, most importantly, what impact it has on NH students.
Join us for a candid, far reaching conversation exploring what vouchers are, how they work in NH and beyond, and what the research says about their efficacy.
Reaching Higher is honored to have as our guest for this conversation, nationally recognized expert and writer on topics related to school choice, teachers and teaching, policy analysis, and education politics, Josh Cowen, author of The Privateers.
Josh Cowen has studied school vouchers, school accountability, charter schools, and parental decision-making as part of major research teams in Louisiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. His writing on school vouchers, culture wars, and other current events has appeared in major media outlets ranging from Slate to Time Magazine. He speaks and testifies across the country on the dangers of school privatization and is regularly quoted in state and national feature reporting.
In addition to his appointment as professor of education policy at Michigan State University, Dr. Cowen has also served as one of five national directors of the National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice (REACH) based at Tulane University. In 2016, he founded the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC), a strategic research partnership between Michigan State University and the state of Michigan. He has held a variety of editorial positions for major academic journals, and was co-editor of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis—the premier education policy journal in the United States. His research has been funded through federal, state and local government contracts, as well as a diverse array of philanthropies such as Arnold Ventures, the Russell Sage Foundation, the Spencer Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.
Josh Cowen holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University, and a B.A. in history from the University of Michigan. Before beginning his research and writing career, he worked in CNN’s Washington, D.C. Bureau and on staff for the political debate show Crossfire.
Meet our panelists:
Sean Parr
Ward 2 Representative
Manchester Board of School Committee
Meet Our Moderator
For 25 years, Laura hosted New Hampshire Public Radio’s live, daily news and public affairs call-in show The Exchange. Over the years, she interviewed thousands of inspiring, wonderful people. At both the state and national level, the show was repeatedly cited for its intelligence, depth, and civility; and was often called New Hampshire's most widely recognized and respected radio program.
Laura's experience as a NH journalist, resident and mother will help guide this important conversation and find answers to the pressing questions:
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What are vouchers and how do they work in NH?
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What has been the impact of vouchers nationally? In NH?
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How do we ensure that EVERY student, family, and school have the resources they need to succeed?
8:00 to 8:45 Registration, Networking, and Continental Breakfast
Assorted Juices, Breakfast Breads, Croissants, Bagels w/ Cream Cheese, Coffee & Tea
8:45 to 9:00 Opening Remarks - Nicole Heimarck, Executive Director at Reaching Higher NH
9:00 to 10:00 Town Hall Panel Discussion - Laura Knoy, Moderator