TV classes to benefit from grant

JACKSON - A $32,703 Perkins grant, which will provide for advanced communication equipment and student skills at Jackson Memorial High School, is on the way.

"The New Jersey Department of Edu-cation has received a $32,703 Perkins grant to fully develop the academic, vocational and technical skills of secondary students who attend Jackson Memorial High School for the current school year," Board of Educa-tion member Gus Acevedo said in a Feb. 27 report to the board.

The Perkins funding will target TV Communications classes, he said.

"Digital equipment will be purchased through the grant, which will enable students to develop skills in the areas of videography, editing, music composition and production," Acevedo said. "This will prepare Jackson students to compete in the workplace and to be more competent as they enter communications courses in a postsecondary setting."

In addition to the purchase of materials to upgrade and enhance the TV studio, the Perkins funding will help encourage academic achievement by providing authentic learning experiences with hands-on activities.

"Experts in the vocational-technical fields will be invited to classes to discuss jobs, careers and skills," said Acevedo. "They will help the students explore different career paths as well as make the future of work relevant to their learning."

Follow-up studies will be done with data collection to determine the rigor and applicability of skills learned in the classroom for the world of work or post-secondary education.