The Governor toured the charter school facilities and talked with students, teachers and parents. These two schools show how charter schools empower parents, giving them a greater say in the education their children receive. These schools are an important part of what my administration has been doing to help every New Jersey child prepare for the 21st century. The Trenton Community Charter School provides students in kindergarten through third grade with comprehensive community- based learning experiences. The school offers students a family- centered learning atmosphere by encouraging parents to become more involved in students' learning and development.
Parents serve on the board of trustees of the school and on program committees.
The school also works with local organizations and institutions to ensure that students are exposed to a wide variety of career role models and to the rich history of the city of Trenton. The Sussex County Charter School for Technology, which includes students in the seventh and eighth grades, is designed to enhance academic learning opportunities through the integrated use of advanced technologies for its students. Its program is structured around small class size and an integrated curriculum which has been aligned with tough academic standards. The infusion of advanced technology into the curriculum is intended to stimulate student enthusiasm and interest in the learning process. During her visit to the Sussex County Charter School for Technology, Gov. Whitman demonstrated the school's high tech ability by taking part in a distance learning exercise with students from Boonton Middle School.