Bronze: Where the Least Motivated Find the Will to Succeed
After school program: Merges the social environment of Dave and Busters with internationally benchmarked academic rigor. Instead of pretending schoolwork can always be easy and fun, Bronze will reward hard work by allowing students to earn points that can be used on different entertainment options.
Idea Description
At least a hundred arts and sports after school programs exist in every city but most students in urban school districts dont even learn basic reading and math skills. Bronze is a program that will use Direct Instruction and Core Knowledge to form curriculum. Students will earn points by completing assignments, points go towards video games, simulated experiences, indoor miniature golf, bowling, movie screenings and more. The point system will ensure every student learns the skills he needs while the entertainment(similar to Dave and Busters with an educational spin) will keep students coming back for more. Points: Replenished by finishing more schoolwork. Suddenly, learning is cool.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
While every parent or guardian will be required to pay some weekly amount, that amount will be determined by income. To offset those costs, we will need to raise money from local businesses in the form of sponsorships. The $10,000 prize will go towards creating a marketing strategy to get community members to invest in the business.
Money will also help adapt Direct Instruction and Core Knowledge to a point system. Also market research to determine why the majority of parents dont use free programs.
There is a lot more to this idea, so please visit the link below to see a few reasons why Bronze isn't just another after school program.
http://bronzeinc.wordpress.com/
Vote for it now.
We think that you programme is a really good idea and kids will benefit from it.
Thank you! That's my little sister :-)
I like the idea. I'm unclear about why you're opting to organize it as a for-profit rather than a non-profit, and least while you're in the proof-of-concept phase.
If I start it as a nonprofit, I will not own it. Decisions will be made by a board, which happens in businesses, but in a business, the founder has a certain amount of equity and a certain amount of control as a result. Also, if I want to do it nonprofit, then convert it to for profit, I would have to give all of my assets to another nonprofit during the conversion... effectively making me start from scratch. There are several other reasons. I think this article: http://www.smsmallbiz.com/bestpractices/Starting_Up_Nonprofit_Vs_For_Profit_Social_Ventures.html And this short video explain the benefits of for-profit best: http://edcorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=2022
I also want to add that one of the most important variables in education is the teachers. Being a for-profit allows me to not only attract quality workers who believe in the cause (many non-profits can do that), but it also makes it easier to keep them. Offering competitive salaries and benefit packages, even a chance to own shares of the company are all ways to get the most talented and dedicated teachers to inner city youth.
Hey Carol, this is a very interesting idea, and I'd like to see you make it a reality. One concern is (thinking back to ToK at Wilson, lol!) I think that extrinsic rewards for students (money, movies, entertainment) could work very well for some kids on a short-term basis. But I am unsure how long they'll "take the bait" so to speak. Plus, these would be replacing the intrinsic rewards of learning. I know "intrinsic rewards" probably sounds boring to most kids, though. Why is education viewed as a privilege in many other countries, but taken for granted in this one? Anyway, I fully encourage you in this venture, and let me know how it goes!
You raise an important point Alice. I think we first have to realize that many of the kids in the inner cities really need much more than the intrinsic rewards of learning. It can be lonely to be a black or latino student with excellent grades. I think what really helped a lot of us in IB was the fact that we had support. I remember we would go bowling or meet up at the central library and it was easier to stay on track because we had that peer support. Bronze allows for that. Still, many students can't really afford to pay for entertainment on their own all the time, so you have to find an alternate currency. Here the currency is hard work and intelligence. That said, I really think that as students get involved with the program, they will find subjects they love just because they enjoy…more learning. Bronze just helps them get to that point, and stay on track if they stumble.
Seems like a great idea. Good luck with everything.
sounds like a great idea. i have a child (2 month old presly) and im glad to see that people are looking out for children. good luck with it all
I think this idea is sooo great. As people say, the Children are the Future! I pray that all goes well with this idea, and that u win...our children need this program!!!
i like the idea,i wish you the best of luck:)
itz a really good idea