NJDOE News

For More Information Contact the Public Information Office:
    Tom Rosenthal
    Rich Vespucci
    609-292-1126

For Release: June 25, 2002

DOE Schedules Information Sessions for Public on Program
to Establish Learning Centers for Disadvantaged Students and their Families

The New Jersey Department of Education has scheduled four information sessions in August to brief the public on a federal program that will now be administered by the state, beginning in the 2002-03 school year. The state is taking over administration of the program, known as the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Program, as the result of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The program is providing $7.4 million in funds to school districts that will be distributed by the Department of Education on a competitive basis. New Jersey anticipates high interest and competition for the funds. The minimum grant to agencies that successfully compete for these funds will be $50,000.

The sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on the dates and locations listed below:

• August 13: Learning Resource Center, 322 American Road, Morris Plains, NJ 07950
• August 14: Program Improvement Regional Center, 1090 King Georges Post Road, Bldg #9, Edison, NJ 08837
• August 15: Hudson County Vocational School District, 8511 Tonnelle Avenue, North Bergen, NJ 07047
• August 22: Cumberland County Vocational School District, 601 Bridgeton Avenue, Bridgeton, NJ 08302

The United States Department of Education established the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Program to make funds available to establish centers in the community for academic enrichment opportunities as well as additional activities designed to complement the regular academic program.

Services must be targeted to students who primarily attend schools that are either eligible for Title I schoolwide programs; or schools that serve a high percentage of students from low-income families; and the families of those students.

Any public or private organization can apply, including local educational agencies, community-based organizations (including faith-based organizations), or consortia of two or more of such organizations.

Attendance at the information sessions is voluntary. A mandatory conference for bidders will be held in the fall.

For more information, visit the Department of Education’s Web site:

www.state.nj.us/education

Information on the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Program is also available at:

www.ed.gov/21stcclc

For more information and to register for the information sessions, call 609-292-5935.