OFFICE OF EDUCATION JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION

It is the mission of the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) to provide students in all of its programs, which include secure facilities, residential community homes, and day programs, with equal access to high quality educational instruction. This educational experience focuses on student-centered learning environments grounded in rigor, relevance, relationships and real world problem solving applications. It is firmly believed that all students have the ability to learn, given the proper instructional environment. The JJC’s Office of Education has the challenging task of ensuring that residents are provided with an educational program that is not only compliant with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, but also meets the needs of its unique student population and settings.Most of the young people who enter JJC programs come with poor school attendance records and varying abilities. Each juvenile is tested and placed in appropriate classes depending on his or her skill levels. Individualized Education Plans are developed for each student. Small class sizes and individual attention often allow students to progress quickly, with the aim of reaching their proper grade level. The JJC coordinates each student’s curriculum with his or her local school. This often enables students to return to school at the same point as their classmates or to receive their diplomas from their home high schools.