Friday, September 3, 2010
Next Generation Learning Communities
appearing in LIA Link, Long Island Association's e-newsletter, June 30, 2008
One by one, presenters who were passionate about their programs gave amazing statistics about how NGLC’s helped communities focus on their industry strengths connect with business, college and schools to develop a future workforce. Presenters gave examples how they use the “New 3 R’s” of academic rigor, relevancy and relationships. They gave examples of relevancy in a Healthcare NCLG who teaches Romeo & Juliet and brings in a speaker from Poison Control, teaches fractions by using examples of measurements needed for injections and hold classes for high school students in a hospital.

We met with teams from California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, etc., whose members included chambers of commerce, government & business leaders as well as college and school administrators. They work together as a community, developing ways to share resources and common goals with each other and were more than happy to share their success with everyone at the conference. As we begin using this model on Long Island with eight schools, two colleges and several industries, it is incredibly exciting and a bit overwhelming. If Long Islanders were able to put a man on the moon, we should be able to successfully work together on Next Generation Learning Communities….maybe even create one for the Defense Industry!