St Paul, MN, Jun 08, 2012 — 39 million Americans, a fifth of the population, never completed high school, one of the factors used to measure literacy rates. Of those, only about 1% earn a GED certificate or the equivalent of a high school diploma each year. The test, which has been around since 1942, is poised to undergo major changes to prepare its recipients for a competitive workplace.

For Front and Center, Laurie Stern has this story from Minnesota.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Jun 08, 2012 — High school seniors are getting ready to graduate. For students in the A-P Government class at Canton Central, it's been a year of learning firsthand how government works. They got riled up when they learned that their school might need to eliminate things like sports and theatre, as well as jobs because of decisions in the state budget. So, they took action.

Along with a few hundred parents and school officials, they took a bus trip to Albany in February to lobby lawmakers. In the end, the state restored some money to Canton Central and other rural schools. However, the district still plans to cut programs, and more than 24 jobs.

Now that it's graduation time, the seniors have had a few months to reflect on their lobbying effort. We spoke with Susannah Sudborough and Pat McGaw who were both touched by the experience but came away with opposite conclusions about what it will mean for their own futures.

Our story was produced by Julie Grant and Natasha Haverty.  Go to full article

May 30, 2012 — Massive demonstrations in the city of Montreal have continued for more than a hundred straight days.

The protest began when Quebec's Liberal Party tried to hike tuition rates for college students. But the sometimes violent street rallies have exploded into a much wider debate in French Canada over civil liberties and the future of popular social programs.

As Brian Mann reports, some students are now calling for the resignation of Quebec's premier.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 27, 2012 — New York civil rights advocates want a meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo following a decision by the attorney general's office not to investigate the New York Police Department over its monitoring of Muslim students following the Sept. 11 attack.

The Associated Press reports that in a letter yesterday, the New York Civil Rights Coalition refuses to accept the decision by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Schneiderman's office said there were legal obstacles that prevented the probe.
The coalition writes that the governor must direct state authorities to investigate the surveillance.

The Associated Press reported last week that the New York Police Department kept close watch on websites and blogs maintained by Muslim student associations across the northeast U.S., including at SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University.

The surveillance reportedly took place in 2006 and 2007. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has faced a firestorm of criticism. But he continues to defend the police department, saying the city needs to be vigilant against terrorism.

Susan Stebbins is an anthropology professor at SUNY Potsdam. She's also special assistant to the president for diversity. The surveillance reportedly took place in 2006 and 2007. But Stebbins tells Julie Grant the college is just finding out about it now. (NCPR did request an interview with the New York Police Department, but didn't hear back for this story.)  Go to full article

Peru, NY, Feb 10, 2012 — NCPR kicked off election coverage with a series of stories this week. See below for more on the 23rd district race for the House of Representatives.

Politics are everywhere these days, from the bitter Republican primary fight that's playing out on our TV screens to the redistricting battle in Albany that could shake up politics right here in our own backyard. As 2012 goes on, the news and conversation will only get louder and more intense.

Most high school students can't vote, but politics plays a big role in their lives, too. And they're paying attention, at least the teens are who gathered recently in Peru to talk about government and politics. Our correspondent Sarah Harris sends this report.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Dec 16, 2011 — This has been one of the busiest and most stressful weeks of the year for students at area colleges. It's finals week, right before the holidays. Faculty and staff at St. Lawrence University took some time recently to share their dogs' love with students to help ease the stress.

Golden labs, beagles and mixed-breed mutts were among the canine therapists on campus last Friday. They performed simple tricks, chased toys and enjoyed occasional treats with the students. Our intern, Roger Miller, is a senior at St. Lawrence. He mingled with the pack of dogs and students in Gunnison Chapel during a study break for today's "Heard Up North."  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Nov 18, 2010 — SUNY-Plattsburgh is celebrating its annual International Education Week. Activities include lectures, music, films, literature and food. The week culminates with the "Night of Nations" event on Saturday night. Evan Mills, International Student Advisor at SUNY Plattsburgh, tells Todd Moe that the events help foreign students share their cultures with the local community. It's also part of Plattsburgh's long tradition as an international gateway for trade, immigrants, visitors and ideas. Mills says the school has a large international student body.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Apr 27, 2010 — The Senate's Republican minority is pushing to cap school taxes, while seeking to provide districts with access to more of their own reserves. The cap on growth would be either slightly more than the inflation rate or up to 2.5%, whichever is lower. That would mean the upcoming local school taxes couldn't rise because there was no inflation last year. Senate Republican leaders are seeking the action before the May 18th school budget votes statewide. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Nov 21, 2008 — The SUNY Board of Trustees voted for a tuition hike this week. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Aug 21, 2008 — If you go to Fort Ticonderoga this summer, you'll find centuries-old stone walls and a new education center. But you'll also find music and pageantry. For more than three decades the Fort's Fife and Drum Corps has been researching and recreating the traditional military and folk music of the 1700s. The musicians are all paid professionals, who spend years in apprenticeship learning their art. But as Brian Mann reports, they're also high school students recruited from bands in nearby towns and villages.  Go to full article