North Bergen High School and Horace Mann Elementary School were chosen for a New Jersey Department of Education pilot program.
The program, the Personalized Student Learning Plan (PSLP), will begin during the 2009-2010 school year.
Sixteen schools throughout New Jersey were chosen out of 90 applicants from 66 districts. The selected schools will participate in a two-year trial in=2 0the 6th and 9th grades. Those same students will continue the plans in the 7th and 10th grades, while new students will join the program in the grades below.
After reviewing the program’s outcomes the DOE will decide where learning plans should be changed and if all students from the 6th grade and above should be incorporated into the program.
PLSPs are part of Gov. Jon Corzine’s and the DOE’s efforts to put more of an emphasis on preparing students for the workforce and college.
The PLSP will use adult mentors, including parents, teachers and counselors, in helping students recognize and achieve their goals.
“It is imperative that we increase the rigor of our high schools to better prepare children for work and college, but it is equally important to help students get a better grasp on where they are headed,” said Commissioner Lucille Davy. “The interest we received from schools wanting to take part in this pilot shows that this initiative has the potential to have a tremendous effect on the quality of each and every child’s education and future.”
The program will focus on personal, academic and career development and will utilize internships.
Districts participating in the PLSP will receive up to $7,500 for each year of the program. – Tricia Tirella