It is hard to trust the motives of personalities in the failing school system debate. Political battles will rage on and state and city administrators and advisers will continue to hash out the grand plan to fix Baltimore City schools.
Baltimore does need educational reform if it is going to overcome the dismal proficiency scores in reading, math and science of less than 10 percent, not above 20 percent, in many high schools and the average 50-percent graduation rate among city youth.
Politicians and community leaders are acting on behalf of our children because we, as a nation, value education. They understand the long-term impact underperforming students will have on the socio-economic structure and success of Baltimore.
But while governments, nonprofits and parents are rallying to make a difference, a power player is missing ? the business community.
With its arsenal of money, time and creativity, local small and large businesses can influence this generation of youth. Financial contributions are necessary, but businesses can offer much more than just “cutting a check.” It is time-out for superficial community relations programs and strategic marketing ploys designed to gain credibility among the community; many business leaders honestly believe “it” is not their problem. Really it isn?t; but it is their opportunity.
The corporate community expects the school system to produce academically proficient young adults, the perceived criteria of quality employees. But studies show employers really need employees who have work-related skills beyond scholastic competencies. Supervisors and managers want employees who have basic business sense, interpersonal skills, are responsible and willing to learn to name a few.
Many of these desirable work habits or ethics should be developed by parents and schools, but are really best taught by corporate leaders themselves. The most dedicated parents cannot help their children if they are disadvantaged and lack access to appropriate resources. Many of the children in underserved communities of Baltimore simply do not have the support systems they need ? at home, in school or through community outreach programs. They still have to master the curriculum that will make a difference for them personally as professionals and make them assets to the companies they work for.
The plight of disenfranchised youth will not stop at the schools or their neighborhoods. Their dilemma will overtake the community, overwhelm the city and hinder the local business economy. So will the real stakeholders please stand up.
The success of Baltimore?s children is vital to local companies because it impacts the bottom line ? beyond how taxes are spent. Have you been to a city high school lately? The b4students Foundation recently arranged for a group of mentors (a.k.a. influential business volunteers) to shadow their high school freshman mentees for a day. The exchange gave them a better sense of their mentees? “learning environment.” “My mentor saw my struggle today,” one student commented.
The experience has made the mentors passionate about their relationships ? with someone else?s children. Through the corporate mentoring program, they will be vested in their student?s personal and professional development, once a month, throughout their entire four-year high school career. Mentors have committed to the challenge because successful high school graduation and life outcome statistics of previous programs proves that business leaders are not wasting theirtime.
Corporate mentoring is not a substitute for strong parents and good schools. However, Baltimore business leaders who volunteer to mentor become a valuable supplementary resource. The time they spend together in a professional work environment allows children to escape their present reality and focus on their future by learning how business works. This opportunity is the breeding ground for dreams.
Until our schools are the perfect educational institutions we are striving for, local businesses can invest their time in Baltimore?s children to make a difference now.
Billie Malcolm is executive director for the b4students Foundation, creating and implementing corporate workplace-based youth mentoring programs with Constellation Energy, DAP, 180s, EntreQuest, DLA Piper, The Daily Record, EMG Corp, Catapult Learning and various high schools throughout the city of Baltimore. She can be reached at [email protected] or 410.522.8712.
