Middle Country schools part of 'career academy' effort

May 29, 2008 | 11:49 AM The Long Island Association, the region's largest business and civic organization, has united with the Long Island Works Coalition, the Ford Motor Co. and seven Island school districts to create a series of "career academies" at regional high schools. The academies, slated to open in September, are "an innovative and highly successful way of teaching academics," according to a May 20 release from the Works Coalition. Such approaches are gaining popularity across the nation, the release noted. Middle Country is among the participating school districts, joining Bridgehampton, Central Islip, East Islip, Wantagh, William Floyd and Wyandanch. Middle Country Superintendent of Schools Roberta Gerold was present for the May 20 announcement, delivered at the Works Coalition's Melville headquarters. Not to be confused with more traditional vocational education, the career academies "improve the teaching of academic subjects by making the lessons more relevant to real working-world situations," the release noted. The academies being formed under this alliance will concentrate on industries with strong LI ties, such as information technology and global business; Middle Country's academy will focus on health care careers, the release said. "Career academies are a highly effective way to get kids both motivated to learn and interested in the kinds of careers available to them," Matthew Crosson, president of the Long Island Association, said in the release. "They create a direct connection between schools and careers and they enable a much closer relationship between schools, students and employers." Cheryl Davidson, executive director of the Works Coalition, agreed that uniting the Island's current employers and future workforce is critical. The academies will create "a pipeline for students to have successful careers on Long Island," Davidson said in the press release.