|
Although several reforms have been made through-out the American Educational system with the “No Child Left Behind Act” (2001) being one of the most recent reforms—many students are still under-performing, failing in academics, scoring poorly on standardized tests, losing educational motivation and value, are dropping-out, and never aspiring towards attaining a postsecondary-higher education. The vast majority of these students are poor, socio-economically disadvantaged, and “at-risk” learners. According to Jordan (2002), the Breaking the Ranks report (National Association of Secondary School Principals, 1996) lays out core themes essential to school reform initiatives. Among them are: • School must function as a transitional experience, getting each student ready for the next stage of life, whatever it may be, with the understanding that, ultimately, each person needs to earn a living. • School must be a gateway to multiple options. • School must prepare each student to be a lifelong learner. These three things are the catalyst for educational empowerment by allowing youth a foundation to career-plan for the future, to access various options as to maintain a smooth transition from high school into mainstream society, and to incorporate the importance of postsecondary education in improving all spectrums of socio-economic status and mobility. Diogenes Laertius once said, "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." WISE Scholars Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit incorporated organization, has as its objective to merge into a charter school that would assist youth in preparing for college (or transition into the workplace) during their elementary and secondary years of schooling. If educators begin promoting the value of college in kindergarten throughout a student’s high-school graduation, instilling that all children can learn and that there will be “No Child Left Behind”, that this philosophy will promote an Olympic mind devoted to higher postsecondary education—with parents, students, and the community at the forefront. This Olympic mind will assume that technically a kindergartener can obtain a Ph.D. if they so desire. Hence, a lack of resources, mentors, preparation, and access on the school or community part will not be a factor to detour them from this attainable objective. Carnegie Corporation of News (2003) described it well by saying, “The early years in children’s lives are critical in the formation and development of intelligence, motivation, and social behavior.” WISE Scholars Foundation believes that early motivation is pertinent to postsecondary attainment and that youth education benefits smaller communities and the larger society by eliminating many factors often attributed to a lack of postsecondary education, such as unemployment, crime, limited career resources and salary, marginalized consumer purchases, illegal drug consumption and trafficking, prostitution, homelessness and poverty. On behalf of WISE Scholars Foundation, I ask that you write us back with a letter of community support stating that you agree a program such as this would be beneficial to youth in the Atlanta Metro Area. Pledges and donations will also be appreciated as well as suggestions for improvement. WISE Scholars Foundation envisions that students will not only acquire a postsecondary education or degree after high-school, but the knowledge and skills to become lifelong learners and prepared citizens. Sincerely, Marshalette R. Wise, M.Ed. CEO & President
|
