MEDIA CONTACT: Cara C. Perry
772-873-3339, ccarlton@fau.edu

Student Applications being Accepted for K-8 Laboratory Research School at Tradition through January 31

PORT ST. LUCIE (December 10, 2007) - The K-8 laboratory research school at Tradition, a partnership between St. Lucie County Public Schools and Florida Atlantic University, is currently accepting student applications from all St. Lucie County residents online at www.tradition.fau.edu through January 31, 2008.  St. Lucie County Libraries and the joint-use library on FAU’s Treasure Coast campus offer computers for public use for those who do not have access to a computer. Students will be randomly selected by a lottery program according to demographic information. Due to the laboratory setting, the enrollment must represent the public school population profile in the State of Florida.

The school is slated to open for the 2008-09 school year and will accommodate approximately 1600 students and 120 teachers. Student transportation will be provided from all areas of the county.  The curriculum and instruction will be linked to FAU faculty and researchers, giving the students a novel learning environment and experience. The laboratory school is a public school operated by St. Lucie County Public Schools in collaboration with FAU-Treasure Coast University Schools and will be held to all state accountability measures, including student performance, the FCAT, and meaningful research and grant support.

Teachers and administrators for the new laboratory school will have the opportunities and encouragement to research new educational options by redefining course content, instructional methods and organizational framework. The school will also serve as a training ground for new and existing teachers serving the county’s students.

For more information, contact Carlos Gonzalez, project specialist with FAU’s College of Education, at 772-873-3338 or cgonza49@fau.edu.

-FAU-