Connecting The Dots - Kids To Business
Written on February 4, 2008 – 4:52 pm | by admin
I’m all for schools and businesses working together to connect the dots for students to know how to compete in a global workforce. We do need to work to better meld the two entities. In the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Tim Hough writes about an initiative going on between Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta businesses (Atlanta Business Chronicle, June 1-7) to do just such a thing. Beverly Hall, the superintendent, is working to fully reform the public school system to connect the dots in the disciplines of engineering, health sciences and research. But I think the focus may be misguided.
China and India are generating baskets-full of engineers and researchers. On sheer numbers, America cannot compete. But what has America always been good at (besides war)? Creating businesses!–tapping into our entrepreneurial spirit and paving new roads, new industries and new technologies. Who would have imagined Google or Amazon 15 years ago?
But are we forgetting where we came from? The Kauffman Foundation just reported that immigrant entrepreneurial activities are out pacing those of native-born Americans. While it increased for Asians and Latinos, it stayed steady for non-Latino whites and even fell for blacks. Where are our entrepreneurs? Who will create the next Microsoft?
Although I admire Hall for her courage to tread new ground, I wish school systems would focus their attention on teaching kids how to run businesses, not be employed by them.
Jennifer Bouani is a speaker, author, entrepreneur and one of the foremost experts in teaching kids business concepts and entrepreneurship. Bouani comes from a family of entrepreneurs. She started working in her dad’s business at the young age of 12 years old. In 1995, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University with a degree in Computer Engineering. She has been a project manager, business analyst, a business communications professional, a consultant, and a professional speaker. Jennifer has expertise in multiple industries: retail, insurance, automotive, telecommunications, consulting, publishing among others..
Bouani is the author of the Award Winning Book
http://www.boujepublishing.com
Tags: atlanta, homework, kids, kids money, money, newspaper, public schools, school, smart