| All parents have big dreams for their children. Fame, | | | | drastic amount of cutbacks that they are forced into |
| fortune, happiness, security, love, confidence, | | | | turning students away from the education they |
| success, and a good education- to name a few. | | | | desire. Many Long Island Schools districts have to tell |
| Parents of Long Island Schools students have dreams | | | | their vocational students that they can't afford to |
| like these, too. A lot of these kids are told as they | | | | enroll them in BOCES (Board of Cooperative |
| grow up that college is what you do after high | | | | Educational Services) job-training courses in the Fall of |
| school, end of discussion. Of course, most if not all | | | | 2007. This is happening despite New York's state |
| parents would like to see their kids head off to | | | | regulations which entitle teens access to vocational |
| college. | | | | programs. In fact, state regulations require school |
| But let's look at the big picture; not all graduating | | | | districts, including those serving Long Island Schools |
| seniors want to head off to a 2- or 4-year college. | | | | to provide students with up to two years of BOCES |
| They are anxious to enter the workforce, earn a | | | | occupational training, free of charge. Therefore, many |
| paycheck, and are heartily sick of homework. | | | | of these Long Island Schools students are blocked |
| Students attending Long Island Schools represent | | | | from receiving the training they need to begin their |
| both goals - both college bound and work bound - | | | | chosen profession. |
| but only one of these groups is truly getting the | | | | Long Island Schools officials have voiced regret over |
| education they need to achieve their goals after high | | | | the situation, but added that they have little choice. |
| school. | | | | Budgets have had to be trimmed, and the cuts |
| Long Island Schools students are feeling increasing | | | | included $720,000 in BOCES tuition. The most likely |
| pressure to attend college or a university. Rigorous | | | | reason for these cutbacks is the fact that Long |
| courses are becoming the norm, and the stress that | | | | Island voters have rejected spending plans twice. |
| goes along with the homework and studying for | | | | It appears that if the voters who live in the areas |
| these classes is immense. Long Island Schools | | | | which support Long Island Schools do not change |
| students who are planning on heading off to college | | | | their minds, hundreds of vocational students |
| pretty much have to take these types of classes in | | | | attending one of the many Long Island Schools will |
| order to even get accepted in the school of their | | | | lose out on the education they so deserve. Perhaps, |
| choice. In fact, 88% of Long Island Schools | | | | when they see their fast food restaurants and |
| graduates enroll in colleges or universities. | | | | discount stores flooded with young high school |
| But what about the Long Island Schools vocational | | | | graduates, they'll change their minds. I hope so. |
| students? Their schools are experiencing such a | | | | |