Money for education from the private sector

One way to help cash strapped school districts is with partnerships with the private sector.

I realized the power of this when I advised a Middle School newspaper. The paper was part of the afterschool program and did not rely on either funding or support from the school administration. In our last year of operation, we were totally self funded, made a profit and provided a scholarship for a student to go to DC for an educational event. We even had money left to pay student reporters for their stories. We did this through selling advertisements. The students sold these ads over the phone and collected a commission on each sale.

The outpouring of response from the business community made me realize what an untapped resource we have all around us. How can we best use this resource?

1. If each high school and middle school had a school/community newspaper with ads, a journalism program could be established that not only paid for itself, but made a profit that could be returned to the schools.

2. Magazines could be started at the high schools. They could center on subjects like the sports programs, the Fitness for Life program, a literary quarterly, academics, school community, etc. Each of these mags would teach reading, writing, editing, sales and layout skills, all practical activities that could lead to careers.

3. Business sponsors for our sports teams would pay for uniforms and the cost of lighting the games.

4. Apprenticeship programs would put students in local business for several hours per week, giving them hands on experience, providing entry level workers for the companies, training the next generation of employees and bringing in some money to support the program. The companies would pay the district an amount that would normally be paid to part time, entry level employees.

5. Academic competitions could be held in various subject areas, with sponsorship from businesses. Award would be given, sponsors recognized and excellent students would have another item for their university resumes.

6. The arts: Drama and music programs could be paid for by sponsorships for school plays and musical recitals. Young musicians could elect to be in classical orchestras, jazz bands or rock groups. They would perform, and money would be collected at the door as well as from the sponsors.

To me, the important thing is to get a double benefit from each project. One benefit would be the sponsorship money, and the other would be practical skills to augment the usual book skills taught in the classroom. Everyone wants something tangible for their efforts, and abstractions only motivate those already highly motivated.

I believe these suggestions would help save a district's budget, but only if the district doesn't spend it all on running the program. This doesn't need a whole new department, another top level administrator or a huge staff. The trick to making this work is to have students help run these programs--another important life skill.