Ten New Jersey schools have been selected to receive a $100,000 grant to deploy educational technology from Optimum Lightpath, a leading Ethernet-based communication solutions provider for the New York metropolitan area.

The project is designed to encourage schools to overcome their budget limitations and deploy technology-driven learning programs in the classrooms. The grants were awarded at the Optimum Lightpath’s (News - Alert) New Jersey Education Technology Conference recently.

The grant was awarded based on how the school adhered to the following criteria: Leveraging technology to improve instruction; promotion of the use of technology to improve the overall education experience; utilizing new technology to promote distance learning; and creating new school initiatives centered around new technologies.

The programs that will be funded by the grants will include distance learning, virtual field trips, remote access to cutting edge applications from the home, creation of a live-stream television studio run by students, and advanced connection to the nature and practice of science. Goals of the program include an increase in literacy levels, providing access to information in low-income neighborhoods, introducing students to a variety of cultures and improving overall student performance.

The 10 New Jersey schools that have been chosen include: Arleth Elementary, Parlin, (Middlesex County); Cresskill High School, Cresskill, (Bergen County); Don Bosco Technology Academy, Paterson, (Passaic County); Fernbrook Elementary School, Randolph, (Morris County); Hawthorne Elementary School, Teaneck, (Bergen County); Hope Academy Charter School, Asbury Park, (Monmouth County); Lakeview School, Edison, (Middlesex County); Memorial Elementary School, Montvale, (Bergen County); Robertsville Elementary School, Morganville, (Monmouth County); and Solomon Schechter Day School, Marlboro, (Monmouth County).

"Technology has the power to transform the way students learn and prepare them for a world of opportunity,” said Julia McGrath, senior vice president of marketing and business development for Optimum Lightpath. “As more New Jersey schools take advantage of our value and performance-based communication services, Optimum Lightpath recognized the opportunity to help further introduce technology in the classrooms of the communities we serve. Each of the schools selected as grant recipients plan to roll out innovative projects that will truly advance teaching and learning for students. We are excited to see the amazing programs we found so compelling actually implemented and will continue to look for opportunities to effect change for the students in the classrooms and schools throughout the New York metro area we serve."