|
Plainfield, N.J. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today presented Union County College (UCC) President Thomas H. Brown with a $100,000 check he secured for the school's "College for Teens" program. The funds will be used to double the number of computers available to participating students and their parents in the College for Teens Computer Technology Center. Pallone secured the money last year as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations bill.
The New Jersey congressman presented the funds during a ceremony with UCC administrators, teachers and students in the College for Teens Computer Technology Center, which was created from another $100,000 appropriation Pallone secured for the Plainfield-based program in 2004. The 2004 funds were used to purchase computers, a printer and software to create the technology center.
The College for Teens program was started in Plainfield in 2001 in response to local industry’s need for skilled technicians and was designed to give its participants the skills necessary for the demands of the area workforce and to prepare them for the rigorous demands of higher education.
The expanded College for Teens program works to prevent juvenile delinquency by strengthening family ties with the involvement of parents in the program. Studies have shown the importance of parental involvement in healthy child development.
"Union County College should be commended for its dedication to preparing area high school students with the vital skills necessary to excel at the college level," Pallone said. "The College For Teens program recognizes the importance parents play in this process, and the expansion of the computer center will allow parents and students to work together to achieve the goal of a college education."
"Congressman Pallone's support for the College for Teens is making it possible for Union County College to equip a new generation of college-bound youth with the skills required to meet the rigors of higher education." said Dr. Thomas H. Brown, UCC President. "Thanks to this funding, the College has been able to expand the program to involve parents of the participating students. As these parents and students reinforce each others' learning, they also gain the technological skills required to succeed in today's workforce."
The program offers teens four different educational tracks: science, computer graphics, design, technology and business. In addition to the normal coursework associated with their track of study, participants in College for Teens receive 36 hours of basic instruction in the computer labs. Leadership development and mentoring, along with PSAT and SAT preparation and math instruction are also integral parts of the curriculum.
Over the years, Plainfield has suffered from youth violence and rising high school drop out rates. Currently, only 53-percent of Plainfield High School students graduate in four years. The College for Teens program offers the community an effective tool for preventing juvenile delinquency and promoting academic success. |
