Make learning relevant. That’s one of the battle cries of American education today. The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) makes education relevant by helping young people from low-income communities build skills and unlock their creativity while emphasizing individuality, initiative, and community. The organization partners with schools and community-based organizations to link the educational and business worlds in the classroom and beyond. NFTE currently has programs in 21 states and 12 countries.This is one of many avenues that has the potential to encourage and allow underprivileged students to demonstrate their otherwise undiscovered gifts.
For many people, there seems to be a perception that only upper-income or ‘privileged’ kids are gifted. However, there are gifted kids at every age level and income bracket. Unfortunately, (as with many things in life) not every gifted has the economic means to take advantage of the resources and programs available to them.
That’s why organizations such as NFTE are a great thing. It helps those who need it without harming those who don’t. Maybe our public schools should embrace that concept.