Pallone Secures $337,000 to Establish Student Enrichment & Success Center at Brookdale

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a giant Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 omnibus spending bill that includes $337,000 to fund a Student Enrichment & Success Center at Brookdale Community College's Eastern Monmouth County Higher Education Center in Neptune.

Last night, the House approved a $515.7 billion spending bill that combines 11 appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2008, which officially began on October 1, 2007. The bill now goes to the Senate for its review.

Pallone says the $337,000 in federal funds will help to establish the Student Center, which will focus on pre-college enrichment for at-risk high school students in Neptune and Asbury Park, as well as academic and support services for Brookdale Community College students.

"The Enrichment and Student Success Center will provide high school and college students in Asbury Park and Neptune with educational activities and support services to help them achieve their academic goals," Pallone said. "I am pleased to have secured this funding in support of the Center. By investing in the education of our children and young adults, we are building a stronger future for our entire community."

The New Jersey lawmaker said the Center is a practical extension of an existing initiative, known as Opportunity through Math, Science and Technology (OPTIMIST), currently in place at the Asbury Park and Neptune middle schools. OPTIMIST prepares at-risk middle school students for greater success in high school so they stay in school and prepare for college, technical training and employment in high-demand occupations.

The Student Enrichment & Success Center will extend a number of activities free of charge to at-risk students from Asbury Park and Neptune in grades eight through twelve, in addition to providing professional development opportunities to counselors and teachers.

Services will include: improving student performance through Peer-Led-Tutoring; sponsoring a Basic Skills Lab to assist students with reading, writing, math and science; expanding Brookdale's applied math, science and technology summer camp program; and training additional teachers and providing lifetime learning opportunities for current teachers.

Pallone requested the funds earlier this year in a letter to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.