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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Thurs., Oct. 21, 2004
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CONTACT:
John Schuster
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
305-995-1126
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SCHOOL SECURITY,
STUDENT CHOICE OPTIONS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
TO BE ENHANCED BY RECORD AMOUNT OF GRANTS TO M-DCPS
MIAMI - Public
school security across Miami-Dade County will be improved by
a new program created by a grant that was among a record
number of grant dollars, totaling nearly $20 million,
accepted by the School Board Wednesday.
The grant, for nearly $1 million, was awarded by the U. S.
Department of Education's (USDOE) Office of Safe and Drug
Free Schools and is intended to improve school emergency
response and crisis management plans. It will provide
training in emergency response procedures for school
personnel, students and parents. Coordination with local law
enforcement, public safety, health, and mental health
agencies also will be improved.
The largest grant, for $9.8 million, was received from the
Magnet Schools Assistance Program of the USDOE and allows
for specialized academies at district schools. Under the
program known as ECHOES (Expanding Choice Options for Every
Student), elementary and middle school students will have
the opportunity to study in museum magnet programs. Senior
high students will have a choice of six academies: Arts
Related Technologies for Entertainment Careers, Allied
Health, Natural Resources, International Finance,
Information and Engineering Technology, and International
Baccalaureate. Each academy will be specifically tailored to
prepare students for high-wage, high-skill jobs.
A $3 million grant was also received through the USDOE to
promote academic achievement by implementing small, safe,
and successful learning environments in large public high
schools. The funds will benefit six Miami-Dade senior high
schools: American, Booker T. Washington, G. Holmes Braddock,
Miami Beach, Miami Jackson, and North Miami Beach. In
addition to providing a smaller learning environment, the
program aims to ensure that students graduate with the
knowledge and skills needed to prepare them for college and
careers.
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04-LJG/056/JJS
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