Schools may apply for grant

In an effort to influence more student leadership education in New Jersey schools, the Success for ALL Students Foundation is offering three grants of up to $10,000 for any qualifying New Jersey high school or youth organization that wants to participate.

Keven Decker, director of the Success for ALL Students Foundation, said, "We're hoping it will catch on with New Jersey schools as it has across the country. Our grants are designed to help fund student leadership development in high school classrooms.

"In addition to providing funding, we connect schools with the specific resources needed to teach success, which includes comprehensive curriculum, teacher lesson plans and consulting," he said.

Decker explained how student leadership development has proven results.

"Test scores go up, students stay in school and graduate, and acts of misbehavior go down.

"This process enables students to use more of their potential to perform better and that helps the school's overall report card," he said.

Schools across New Jersey have until Jan. 31 to apply for the grants. Winners will be announced no later than April 30. For more information, call Keven Decker at (732) 708-9300 or e-mail director@SuccessForALLstudents.org.

Founded in 2006, the Success for ALL Students Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Atlantic High-lands, whose mission is to provide what it calls "the missing ingredient" in New Jersey schools.

According to a press release, that missing ingredient is integrating a process of student leadership development.

The foundation helps schools implement a scientific and research-based process that teaches success and empowers students with the attitude, skills and knowledge they need to succeed in and out of school, according to the press release.