Many high school principals in the area are open to New Hampshire Education Commissioner Lyonel Tracy’s potential plan that would allow qualified students to graduate following their sophomore year of classes.

Tracy has been considering the idea, which would require students to take specified curriculum and pass a thorough exam before graduating early.

While the plan is geared in part toward students wishing to continue their education at community or technical colleges, it would also encompass high school students prepared for a four-year university.

Students could potentially earn both a high school and two-year college degree by the time they are at the age they would be graduating high school.

Tracy said that while the plan would address the needs of gifted students, it would also reach another group.

“I am guessing that there are lots of high school kids who don’t fit into that traditional four-year mold, and would really benefit from this,” said Tracy. “Most of our dropouts are very bright kids. They’re intelligent and smart, but don’t fit into the curriculum of the high school experience.”

Bedford High School principal George Edwards said in general, the concept is one that has potential to be a success.

“I’ve always believed that, developmentally, different young people progress at different rates of speed. I think it makes some sense to have flexibility to allow for that,” said Edwards. “The one thing I would want to ensure is that the standards and the quality of the education that students would receive would be the same.”

Dorothy Mohr, Pelham High School principal, said she believes the option would be for a very small percentage.

“I think it’s a concept that applies to very few students in terms of academic maturity level, and testing out of the exam would be very difficult,” Mohr said. “In two years you don’t really have the chance to get the coursework or skills. Once in a while there are bright students that could have that option.”

Many schools already have advanced placement classes and other college-level courses for students already looking toward college.

Bow High School Principal John House-Myers said he has gotten a sense that educators would be open to the change.

“We’re all very eager to see what the test would look like,” said House-Myers. “I think we’re all receptive to it. We want to be able to challenge kids and individualize things for kids. I think that’s what a lot of kids will weigh. We have the art program, athletics program – there’s a lot more to high school than just the subjects that kids take.”

Salem High School Principal Bill Hagan said the most important aspect of the plan would be the structure of the test.

“The development of a single test is a bit dangerous because there’s a lot that goes into the education that can’t be captured in a single test,” said Hagan. “One of my concerns is whether a test could be designed that would capture what a student needs to learn.”

Tracy said if the plan goes forward, he would assemble a task force including community members, high school educators and community college representatives.

In many cases, the students who would be qualified to graduate early may be the students who would be involved in leadership roles during their junior and senior years.

Goffstown High School Principal Frank McBride said he wouldn’t expect that to change, even if the state passed a proposal like the one being talking about.

“Kids who are the leaders and the kids who are involved aren’t leaving,” said McBride. “They have two years of athletics, two years of plays and musicals. I don’t think you’ll have a flight of the best and the brightest leaving. It’s all part of the high school experience.”

A common sentiment by principals is that the educational experience is different for each student, and it should be individualized to fit the needs of those in the schools.

Pembroke Academy Headmaster Michael Reardon said the plan could address the individualized nature of the education system.

“If there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s that different kids need different types of tools,” said Reardon. “While we want kids to graduate in four years, some kids might not. It’d be a great incentive for kids who are well-motivated or going in different directions.”

Although a student may be capable of passing a competency test, Reardon said it might not necessarily mean they are ready to move on to the college level or workforce.

“There are social considerations as well, but that again goes back to who it’s appropriate for. It’s not a matter of academics of competency, but if they’re ready to go to a different educational setting maturity wise. Some kids are,” said Reardon. “High school in any event is the bridge to the rest of their lives. The kids on both ends of the spectrum may be very well served by this.”