UVa, public schools partner on high-tech training

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Public school students in Charlottesville and Albemarle County will have an opportunity to receive training for high-tech jobs, thanks to a new partnership.

The school districts are collaborating with the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education and School of Engineering and Applied Science to establish laboratory schools in public schools.

Curry School professor Glen Bull says classes for eighth-graders at Buford Middle School and Jack Jouett Middle School will begin in the 2013-2014 school year. About 500 students will be eligible to take the classes.

Bull says a new grade level will be added each subsequent year.

Gov. Bob. McDonnell provided a $300,000 planning grant for the initiative.