Georgia Lt. Governor Casey Cagle on Thursday awarded the Newton College and Career Academy
(NCCA) a $10,000 grant to support the school's efforts to become a Ford PAS Next Generation Learning Community. The grant was made out of funds raised by the Lt. Governor to support College and Career Academies across the state.

Newton County School Superintendent (NCSS) Gary Mathews, NCSS Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Director James Woodard, and members of the NCCA Board of Directors were on hand at the State Capitol to receive the grant. The NCCA board had previously voted to pursue the prestigious national designation.

"We share the excitement that this opportunity brings the Newton College and Career Academy," said
Woodard. "This grant will provide us resources to help build staff with the necessary teaching strategies to equip our students with skills for the 21st learning environment."

"We in Newton County are most excited about this significant grant," added Superintendent Mathews.
"It will certainly facilitate the professional development that will assist our teachers in providing high
quality instruction in the new NCCA."

Currently, 14 communities from across the nation are designated as a Ford PAS Next Generation
Learning Community. Floyd County was Georgia's first Next Generation Learning Community and they
today enjoy a system wide graduation rate of over 80%.

"Ford Motor Company Fund is very excited about Newton County's interest and commitment in
becoming a Ford PAS ? Next Generation Learning (NGL) community," said Cheryl Carrier, Program
Director for the Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies. "Through this commitment, Newton County will
become part of the Ford NGL network of communities, who together, are creating teaching and learning opportunities for their high school students that prepare them with the academic knowledge and 21st Century skills needed to thrive in a global economy."

"I am honored and excited to announce this grant for the Newton College and Career Academy," said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. "Through our partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund and thanks to the support of partners like AT&T, we are able to work with local schools and communities to provide cutting edge ideas for relevant, career based education that will give our students the skills they need to compete in the 21st Century Global economy. Today's announcement is a testament to the hard work and bold leadership of so many Newton County community partners."

Next Generation Learning Communities work to create meaningful learning experiences that enable
students to apply academic knowledge to real world learning experiences. They also create and
maintain career and interest-based programs and the collaborative culture, structures, and practices
necessary to transform teaching and learning. Additionally, they engage employers, educators, civic,
and community leaders to collaborate in promoting and sustaining educational programs that prepare
the future workforce.

"I am confident that the Newton College and Career Academy will be a great asset to Newton County
students who chose to attend classes there," said Sen. Rick Sen. Jeffares, R?Locust Grove. "This grant will ensure that the institution provides the highest quality of learning and will result in a top education for thousands of students."

For more information contact Mr. James Woodard, at woodard.james@newton.k12.ga.us or visit the
NCCA website at www.newtoncareeracademy.org. To learn more about Next Generation Learning Communities, please visit http://www.fordnglc.com. Information on Georgia's Career Academy Network can be found at http://www.georgiacareeracademies.org.