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MONROE - The New Jersey
Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) today
held its annual high school commencement
ceremony at the New Jersey Training School
(NJTS) in Monroe Township. Deborah Edwards,
Office of the Attorney General Chief of
Staff, addressed the graduates. New York
Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty served
as keynote speaker. Veleria N. Lawson, Executive
Director of the JJC, presented 63 graduates
with high school diplomas or General Educational
Development (GED) certificates issued by
their local school districts or the State.
An additional 61 students received their
diplomas or GED certificates earlier in
the year and have since been released from
JJC supervision.
All graduates have met
the high school graduation requirements
set forth by the state Department of Education.
The JJC coordinates each student’s
curricula with his or her home school to
allow the student to receive a diploma from
his or her local education authority. Students
receiving their diplomas are assigned to
the NJTS, Juvenile Medium Security Facility
(JMSF) in Bordentown, the Juvenile Female
Secure Care & Intake Facility in Bordentown,
and several of the JJC’s residential
community homes, day programs and transitional
programs.
“The Juvenile Justice
Commission has a challenging job -- to turn
around the lives of troubled young people
and provide them with the tools they need
to succeed. A high school diploma is the
most important tool that our young men and
women can receive while they are with the
JJC,” said Executive Director Lawson.
“Whether these graduates choose to
continue to pursue academic studies at the
college level, focus on vocational and technical
training, or begin preparing to enter the
job market, a diploma provides them with
a sense of accomplishment and self-worth
that will help them succeed throughout their
lives.”
The JJC has implemented
several educational reforms, including the
practice of creating an Individual Program
Plan (IPP) for each student, infusing technology
into the delivery of instruction via distance
learning and on-line instruction, establishing
partnerships with community colleges, businesses
and sister agencies to expand educational
and career opportunities, and aligning career
and vocational offerings to coincide with
occupations in high demand.
Juveniles are placed with
the JJC by the courts. Students are evaluated
upon entry to the JJC and are placed in
academic classes according to their abilities
in each area. The JJC coordinates student
studies with sending school districts. For
those returning to the local school districts
from the JJC, this coordination often allows
students to assume their studies at the
same point as their classmates.
Teachers provide state-of-the-art
instruction to students in JJC programs,
juvenile county detention centers, and community-based
programs throughout the state.
In addition to the core
curriculum, JJC students are instructed
in gang awareness, respect and dignity,
physical education and various career &
technical education programs.
For more information on the JJC, please
visit www.njjjc.com.
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