There is an old saying that goes something like this: You're either part of the problem, or part of the solution."

Everyone understands the problems caused by the large number of high school dropouts, both in New Hampshire and in the nation as a whole. Gov. John Lynch has made a good start in addressing the problem with his proposal to raise the mandatory school attendance age from 16 to 18, and convening a statewide gathering of concerned individuals to begin addressing the problem. But is one solution to the problem already in place? And not being noticed? Are New Hampshire's charter schools part of the solution to reducing the high school dropout rate?

The National Dropout Prevention Center has identified 15 strategies that help reduce the dropout rate including alternative schooling, career education/workforce readiness and systemic renewal. Each of those strategies is already reflected in New Hampshire's charter schools.

The Silent Epidemic, a landmark report studying the dropout problem in America sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, reported, "Options offered to students, and supported by the research, can include alternative high schools. Theme-based schools, such as ones that focus on science and technology or the arts, are another way to prepare students for their future."

This is exactly what New Hampshire's charter schools are doing.

Current charter schools at the high school level include the following institutions: Cocheco Arts and Technology Charter Academy, Dover, which stresses education in the performing arts, fine arts, technology related to the arts and fundamental academics; Great Bay eLearning Charter School, Exeter, which presents an alternative approach to learning to better address the needs of at-risk students; North Country Charter Academy, Lancaster and Littleton, whose primary mission is to educate at-risk of dropping out students; New Heights Charter Academy, Goffstown, which stresses a career-focused education for students.

Scheduled to open in September is the Equestrian Academy Charter School, Rochester, which will offer both college academic preparation and also training in the equine industry. Recently approved is The Academy for Science and Design, sponsored by Daniel Webster College, which will become the state's first high school to concentrate on science, math, engineering and design.

Closed after one year of operation due to financial reasons and hoping to reopen, the Franklin Career Charter Academy, Franklin, was designed to serve at-risk behavior students.

Though each of these schools has a distinctly different mission and serves students of diverse interests and backgrounds, they have one thing in common: They provide an alternative to the traditional public high school for students who may need just such an environment in order to stay in school.

According to the American Youth Policy Forum, charter schools are becoming increasingly prominent as an effective model of dropout recovery programs that provide career preparation and workforce development as well as a high school diploma for youths and young adults who had previously dropped out of traditional high schools.

While there is no single solution to any problem as complex as the high school dropout dilemma, it is clear that New Hampshire's charter schools can and should be a significant part of the solution. They deserve our support.