Students from 61 New Jersey high schools and middle schools representing all 21 counties will get an up-close look at how state government works, thanks to $300 grants awarded in November 2004 and February 2005 to their teachers by the Eagleton Institute of Politics. The “State House Express” program funds the rental of busses for trips to the State House for a special tour developed by the Office of Legislative Services. Alan Rosenthal, professor of public policy at the Institute, organized the program and announced the grantees, selected from 160 applicants.

“The state legislature is an arena where public values, interests and priorities are deliberated and negotiated, and where settlements are reached,” observed Rosenthal. “Seeing where and how it happens will bring the legislative process to life.”

Students will learn about the legislature’s role in representative democracy and the importance of participation in the American political system. Their tours will include the rotunda, Governor’s reception room, General Assembly, and Senate caucus room. In addition, they may take part in a “make-a-law” exercise to learn about discussion, negotiation, compromise, and voting in the enactment of legislation. Some will also explore the multi-media exhibits located in the State House Welcome Center.

Atlantic County
Atlantic City High School, Atlantic City
Egg Harbor Township High School, Egg Harbor
Port Republic Middle School, Port Republic

Bergen County
Cliffside Park High School, Cliffside Park
Charles A. Selzer Middle School, Dumont
Demarest Middle School, Demarest
Hasbrouck Heights High School, Hasbrouck Heights

Burlington County
Cherokee High School, Marlton
Cinnaminson Middle School, Cinnaminson
Thomas O. Hopkins Middle School, Burlington

Camden County
East Camden Middle School, Camden
Eastern Intermediate High School, Voorhees
Dr. Charles E. Brimm Medical Arts High School, Camden
Lindenwold High School, Lindenwold
Magnolia Public Middle School, Magnolia

Cape May County
Cape May County Technical High School, Cape May
Ocean City High School, Ocean City

Cumberland County
Vineland High School North, Vineland
Vineland High School South, Vineland

Essex County
Central High School, Newark
Essex Campus Academy High School, Orange
Montclair High School, Montclair
University High School of the Humanities, Newark

Gloucester County
Deptford High Schoo, Deptford
Williamstown High School, Williamstown

Hudson County
Lincoln High School, Jersey City
Dr. Charles P. DeFuccio Public School, Jersey City
Union Hill High School, Union City

Hunterdon County
Delaware Valley Regional High School, Frenchtown
Old Turnpike Middle School, Califon
Woodglen Middle School, Califon

Mercer County
Fisher Middle School, Ewing
Hamilton North - Nottingham High School, Hamilton
Princeton High School, Princeton

Middlesex County
Joyce Kilmer Middle School, Milltown
Old Bridge High School, Old Bridge
South Plainfield High School, South Plainfield
South River High School, South River

Monmouth County
Colts Neck High School, Colts Neck
Howell Middle School, Howell
Marlboro High School, Marlboro

Morris County
Butler High School, Butler
Lincoln Park Middle School, Lincoln Park

Ocean County
Jackson Memorial High School, Jackson
Pinelands Regional Jr. High School, Tuckerton
Southern Regional High School, Manahawkin

Passaic County
Passaic County Technical Institute, Wayne
Paterson Pre-Collegiate Academy, Paterson

Salem County
Penn Grove High School, Carneys Point

Somerset County
Bernardsville Middle School, Bernardsville
Manville High School, Manville
Matheny School and Hospital, Peapack
Ridge High School, Basking Ridge

Sussex County
Lounsberry Hollow Middle School, Vernon

Union County
Christa McAuliffe Middle School, Elizabeth
Cranford High School, Cranford
Maxson Middle School, Plainfield
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Scotch Plains
Westfield High School, Union

Warren County
Belvidere High School, Belvidere
Lopatcong Middle School, Phillipsburg