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ADECA

November 25, 2015
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Grants to expand educational opportunities for high school students in Cullman, Lawrence counties
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MONTGOMERY—Gov. Robert Bentley has announced two Appalachian Regional Commission grants to expand programs that help high school students in Cullman and Lawrence counties prepare for college and potential careers.

A $100,000 grant will enable the Cullman County Board of Education to expand a program that exposes high school students to careers in the health-care industry. With a $75,000 grant, the Lawrence County Board of Education will offer more Advanced Placement classes to help students earn college credits while still in high school.

“The skills and knowledge learned in high school serve as a strong foundation for future success in college and in a career,” Bentley said. “I commend the Cullman County and Lawrence County school systems for offering these advanced programs.”

The Cullman County school system will expand the Health Care Science program by adding teachers, purchasing simulation mannequins that enable students to practice common medical procedures and offering the program at a central location at the Cullman Area Career Center. School system officials say that placing the program at a central location with more faculty will enable students from all seven high schools in the county to participate, increasing enrollment from 68 to more than 150. The program is a partnership with Wallace State Community College. The school board is contributing matching funds of $100,000 to the program.

The Lawrence County school system will expand its Advanced Placement program by training 56 teachers and purchasing new textbooks, advanced math and chemistry equipment and computers needed for the courses. Students who earn a high score on the AP exam can earn college credit. The courses will be available at East Lawrence, Hatton, Lawrence County and R.A. Hubbard high schools. The school board is contributing matching funds of $75,000 to the expansion.

Congress established the ARC in 1965 as a supplemental grant program to raise the standard of living, improve the quality of life and promote economic development in the Appalachian mountain region. The region includes 37 Alabama counties.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama along with a wide range of other programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.

Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers


For more information, visit:  http://www.adeca.alabama.gov/