Bring Entrepreneurship To the Classroom

K-12 STEAM Education

County of Los Angeles

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Our educational system is failing to prepare our children to compete in the modern global economy. Dropout rates are high, there are significant gaps in education across socioeconomic groups, and the U.S. needs to keep up with other industrialized countries in terms of student performance in mathematics, science and reading. Studies show that kids drop out because they are bored? don't see how school relates to real life and work? and aren't prepared to succeed by their earlier schooling. When asked how schools could help, 81% asked for more real-world learning and said they wanted school to be more connected to getting a good job. The solution is to provide students with hands-on, project-based learning programs showing how their education relates to real-world success. Research suggests that earlier investments in entrepreneurship education are more likely to impact educational and career outcomes significantly, so focusing on elementary and middle school students is critical.

BizWorld.org would be honored to partner with LA2050 to inspire and engage up to 5,200 elementary and middle school students in approximately 200 classrooms in Los Angeles County - with a focus on reaching low to moderate communities with our business, leadership and financial management program BizWorldPRO. BizWorldPRO is the next-generation blended-learning toolkit for teaching our project-based entrepreneurship program. Teacher training in BizWorldPRO will ensure the best implementation possible as educators inspire their young students to think as entrepreneurs. BizWorldPRO provides educators with a turnkey, fully guided curriculum and various digital tools to make bringing the entrepreneurship experience to their classroom more accessible than ever. Students learn that they can become an integral part of a business or start their own company and set their future direction. Students need to learn the life skills of an entrepreneurial mindset: the ability to be proactive and create their own job when necessary, manage finances, learn negotiation and presentation skills, and adapt to rapid technological advances. Research has shown that non-cognitive skills such as persistence, creativity, and proactivity are increasingly relevant determinants of job and employment opportunities, not just for entrepreneurs.

Our ultimate is to have BizWorldPRO part of the curriculum for every school district in Los Angeles County. If awarded this grant, we can start with 200 elementary and middle classrooms, where we would have an impact with approximately 5,200 students, grades 3-8. The online Teacher Training will provide participant teachers with the time and support to collaborate and strategize on implementing the programs in various settings. Our goal is to have teachers leave feeling prepared and excited about BizWorldPRO. By making the training engaging, accessible and fun, teachers are encouraged to attend and enhance their teaching skills, sometimes a rare opportunity for teachers in underserved school districts. Students going through BizWorldPRO gain various life skills, including financial literacy, flexibility, initiative, social skills, productivity, and leadership. Teachers will help students connect what they learn to the real world.

We have efficient systems and methodologies for capturing critical feedback from students, teachers and volunteers participating in our programs. This feedback also informs on the effectiveness of our programs as we continuously work to improve the program content. This particular project will be evaluated based on the following methodologies: Pre/Post Assessment Test: Each BizWorld program includes a 20-question pre- and post-assessment test divided into two parts: comprehension of business concepts and 21st-century skills development. Students take the tests before and after the programs, using our portal. The BizWorld Portal allows us to analyze each question, item by item and provide teachers, parents, school administrators and donors with performance measurements. Qualitative Feedback: Once the program is completed, feedback is solicited from the students and the teachers. Volunteers are also asked to provide feedback on their overall experience if they are used in the program.