Great strides have been made in Camden County towards making access to technology for students and families commonplace. However, many students in this area still have limited to no computer access except when they are in school. Parents and other community members find themselves in the same situation. By participating in this program the Camden County Technical School District, as the lead agency, will reconfirm its partnership with Lawnside and Pine Hill public school districts and the Hispanic Family Center in Camden City to provide access and instruction in the areas of language arts literacy and technology to the students, parents and other community members served by the partners.

The intent of the Access~Collaboration~Equity Plus (ACE+) grant program is to increase student achievement in language arts literacy while also accomplishing the following in the high-need local school district:

a) the provision of staff-supported “off-hour” access to additional educational opportunities;

b) the provision to students and their families, particularly those served by schools designated by Title I as category one or category two, of access to information and to technology resources in public locations such as libraries, community centers, housing complexes or in school-based locations with extended hours designated as an ACE Center that will further instructional and educational technology programs;

c) collaboration to develop innovative instructional programs for increasing language arts literacy achievement of the NJ Language Arts Core Curriculum Content Standards;

d) promotion of equity among all members of the school community by offering the opportunity to increase access to technology;

e) infusion of technology into the language arts literacy program to increase student achievement of the NJ Language Arts Core Curriculum Content Standards;

f) provision to school staff of ongoing and sustained professional development related to current research and practices, and integrating technology into the classroom;

g) increased family and community interest and involvement in school-based activities and instruction while providing a meaningful family experience within the ACE Center; and increasing technology skills;

h) ongoing evaluation of the success and impact of grant program implementation and strategies; and

i) development of self-sustained community-based entities to deliver technological services to students, parents and the community for at least two years beyond the grant program.

GOAL #1: Improve student proficiency of the Language Arts Core Curriculum Content Standards.

GOAL #2: Students and their families are provided access to information and resources that will further instructional and educational technology programs.

GOAL #3: Collaboration is established or strengthened with other entities to develop innovative instructional programs for student achievement of the NJ Language Arts Core Curriculum Content Standards.

GOAL #4: Equity is promoted among all members of the school community by offering the opportunity to increase their availability to technology.

GOAL #5: Infuse technology into the language arts literacy program to increase student achievement of the NJ Language Arts Core Curriculum Content Standards.

GOAL #6: Teachers receive ongoing and sustained professional development directly related to integrating technology into the classroom.

GOAL #7: Student, family, and community interest and involvement is increased in school-based activities and instruction while providing a meaningful family experience and increasing technology skills.

GOAL #8: A self-sustained, community-based entity is created or enhanced to deliver technological services to students, parents and the community.

GOAL #9: All evaluation grant program requirements are completed by the grant recipient.

In accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, it is the goal of this district and its partners to increase student achievement in Language Arts Literacy while achieving the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. To reach this goal it is necessary to insure every student receives continued instruction that include phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, study skills and writing skill development.

The software that has been selected and will be implemented for this program is Learning Express Online, a web based software that is specific to the achievement of Language Arts Literacy. Students will take pre and post practice tests that mirror ASK3/4, GEPA and HSPA. These tests include four scored extended response essays, eight scored short answer essays, two revised/edit tests and multiple-choice questions. The pre-assessment will allow teachers to diagnose student proficiencies. With this diagnostic tool in place, teachers will than be able to determine students’ weaknesses and work with the students on the successful achievement of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. Other software that is currently available is Kurzweil 3000, which is a scan and read software program with a talking word processor. This software is designed to provide integrated access to print and electronic materials for students with difficulties reading and writing. Inspiration and Kidspiration is a visual, concept-mapping program. It is helpful in organizing information and develops higher order thinking skills, therefore, deepening knowledge and facilitating clarity of knowledge.

The project must be designed and implemented in conformance with all applicable state and federal regulations. The Access~Collaboration~Equity Plus (ACE+) grant program is 100 percent federally funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Public Law 107-100; Title II, Part D Enhancing Education Through Technology, CFDA # 84.318.) Direct funding of the Program is over two years from 2003 - 2005.

New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK)

For More Information about this program please contact:

Mr. Anthony DePrince, Project Director
Camden County Technical Schools
343 Berlin Cross Keys Road
Sicklerville, NJ 08081-4000
Phone: (856) 767-7000 x5240
Fax: (856) 753-4879
e-mail: tdeprince@ccts.tec.nj.us