Agreement signed to create New Hampshire Career Academy

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire education officials are moving ahead with Gov. Chris Sununu's plan to help students earn high school diplomas and college degrees at the same time, with no cost to their families.

Sununu, a Republican, first announced his goal for the New Hampshire Career Academy program in January. Modeled after a privately-funded partnership between Great Bay Community College and Spaulding High School in Rochester, the new statewide program also provides participants with guaranteed job interviews.

Sununu signed an agreement Friday with the state's education commissioner and chancellor of the community college system to set up the program.

Commissioner Frank Edelblut said the program creates a new pathway for students, who will get career-ready educations and a head-start in the job market.