Partnership Article

Partnership Helps Start Tech Degree 6/4/01
BY: Andrea Singh. STAFF WRITER

Some of the major names in the technology industry, including Cablevision Systems Corp., Dell Computers and Cisco Systems, have entered into a partnership agreement with the Bethpage School District to create the Bethpage Academy of Technology, as a part of Bethpage High School.

This week, the school is announcing that it has added as contributing partners Lightpath, the telephone services division of Cablevision, Jaguar Graphics and Panduit Corp., a provider of hardware for data installations.

"I am extremely optimistic that it would open new doors for our students," said Antoinette MacLeod, principal of the public school.

The program, initiated last fall, is intended for high school students with an interest in such fields as networking, programming, graphic arts or Web design. They can graduate with an advanced degree in information technology or new media. Bethpage High School will have its first group of students graduate from this program this summer.

Students in the program are required to meet all regular requirements for a New York State Regents diploma before they can obtain these advanced degrees, school officials said.

"It's a school within a school," said Terrence Clark, director of technology at the Bethpage School District.

In addition to its advanced degree program, Bethpage High School will announce today that it will be implementing into its curriculum the Cisco Academy, a program enabling students to leave high school with a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification, one of four certifications granted by Cisco. After they earn CCNA certification, the graduates can enter the workforce as entry-level networkers, said Clark, in order to install simple networks on computers in the home or small office. "Most colleges do not offer CCNA certification, therefore they must go to separate training facilities," he said.

Cablevision also will add a lab to the school, where guest speakers will talk to students about the technology industry, such as future careers in the field, and also give them hands-on demonstrations.

"Our partnerships helped us in various ways of setting all of this up," Clark said. Partners such as Cablevision, Dell and Cisco have contributed hardware and software to the program, as well as guest speakers and the opportunity for site visitations.

Other partners that were already on board include Sublime Design Inc., a Web development firm, and ClassLink Technologies LLC, a provider of technology solutions.

"We give these students a golden opportunity when they go into the real world," Clark said. The Bethpage Academy of Technology also will soon offer internships to students enrolled in this program at some of these companies.