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For Release: February 25, 2003

DOE Announces First-ever Pre-K through College Senior-Year Agreement

The Department of Education announced this week plans for an Entrepreneurship/ Business Management Academy with Camden County College, Rutgers University and six Camden County high schools participating.

The Academy is the first seamless pre-Kindergarten through senior year of college initiative in the state of New Jersey — and it’s a model program for Governor James E. McGreevey’s and Commissioner of Education William L. Librera’s 12th-grade pilot program and senior year initiative.

The 12th-grade pilot program encourages high school seniors who have finished all graduation requirements to enroll in college-credit courses or seek volunteer opportunities, among other things, for both personal and intellectual growth.

"This is a wonderful example of our mission statement," Dr. Librera said. "We continue to emphasize diverse and multiple paths to success for our students. This not only fits the parameters of the 12th-grade pilot program, but it’s also a reminder that our children can and will be challenged to succeed."

The agreement between Camden County College, Rutgers and the six high schools benefits students seeking a bachelor’s degree in business management.

The partnership enables students to complete a program of study at Camden County College in general education and business management.  Under the partnership agreement, students would then transfer to Rutgers Camden School of Business for the completion of the degree program.

Among the many advantages of participating in the program is the opportunity for students to complete college level coursework while in high school — the basic premise of the DOE’s 12th-grade pilot program.

The college courses will be offered at the beginning of junior year and will allow students to earn up to 24 credits. This will reduce tuition costs and shorten time in earning a bachelor’s degree.

Other benefits to students include: guaranteed entry into the Liberal Arts degree program at Camden County College and Business Program at Rutgers-Camden University; scholarships and financial assistance; early intensive academic advisement; mentoring opportunities with business/industry and county leaders; internships; and portfolio enhancement.

The Academy program is one of the many initiatives Governor McGreevey, Commissioner Librera and the Department of Education encourage for both teacher growth and innovative lessons for students in the state.

Specifically, the program is an example of the DOE mission statement: "The New Jersey Department of Education will provide leadership for a superior education by utilizing multiple and diverse paths to success for all children in New Jersey."

On Sept. 17, 2002, the Governor and Commissioner hosted an Educational Summit in Trenton, where they outlined the Administration’s 21-point plan for educational reform. The 21-point plan is available on the Department of Education’s website: www.state.nj.us/education.

For more information about the program, contact Dr. Albert Monillas, the DOE’s Assistant Commissioner for the Southern Region, at (856) 468-5530 or Jon Zlock in the DOE Public Information Office at (609) 292-1126.