Hélène Biandudi Hofer

On this edition of Need to Know Rochester:

• A look at the potential charter school boom in Monroe County and how that may impact students and the Rochester City School District
• A profile of Hope Hall, a local private school that caters to students with special learning needs
• A new behind-the-scenes look at sculptor Albert Paley’s latest work

New York Education Commissioner John King met with Rochester-area business leaders and educators Thursday. The goal of King’s visit was to garner support for the implementation of the Common Core Standards. New York is one of 46 states implementing the Common Core which is a set guidelines to help ensure students are prepared for college and the work-force. King said the business community can play a key role in assisting this effort.

Coming up this week on Need to Know Rochester we examine what could soon be a charter school boom in Monroe County. Also on the show, a look into the local private school Hope Hall. It caters to a special group of students who say it’s a place where everybody knows your name. And we continue our behind-the-scenes coverage of world-renowned sculptor Albert Paley’s latest work. Tune in this Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV Channel 21 and Cable 11 or 1011.

On this edition of Need to Know Rochester:

▪ Tackling misconceptions and raising awareness of human trafficking in the Greater Rochester area

▪ A discussion on the unique health needs of LGBT seniors

▪ The Business Section with Matt Daneman

Coming up this week on Need to Know Rochester we examine human trafficking in Monroe County and look into health concerns and challenges for elderly members of the local LGBT community. Tune in this Friday at 8:30pm on WXXI-TV, Channel 21.

Part 2 of Rochester Mayor Thomas Richard's State of the City address on Monday, May 6, 2013, at School of the Arts.

Part 1 of Rochester Mayor Thomas Richard's State of the City address on Monday, May 6, 2013, at School of the Arts.

On this edition of Need to Know Rochester:

▪ A look at the work of Teen Empowerment and other community stakeholders to combat youth and gang violence in Rochester

▪ A discussion on the challenges for African American baseball players in the late 1800s and early 20th Century as a new exhibit focusing on those experiences comes to Rochester

▪ The Business Section with Matt Daneman

On Friday's show we examine the work of The Center for Teen Empowerment. The non-profit is in its 10th year in Rochester working with at-risk youth in the community. Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard and Paul McFadden, Youth & Gang Specialist with Action for A Better Community, will talk more about Teen Empowerment and current efforts to tackle youth gang violence in Rochester.

Also, former Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson will stop by the station to discuss a traveling exhibit making a stop in the city. It's called Pride & Passion: The African American Baseball Experience. We'll discuss the continued impact of the Negro Leagues on the game of baseball.

Tune in this Friday at 8:30pm and Sunday at 12:30pm on WXXI-TV.

This special edition of Need to Know Rochester focuses on education issues. We examine the possible rise in charter schools in Monroe County and the potential impact on students and the Rochester City School District. We also visit a school called Hope Hall - it caters to a special group of students that some say could've fallen through the cracks at their former schools. Lastly, we look into the unique challenges facing rural school districts in the Greater Rochester-area.