top of page
Untitled design (14).png

Many students from low-income households that have the same access to education as their wealthier counterparts do not acquire comparable levels of social mobility (OECD, 2018).

THE PROBLEM
There is a "Missing Link" in Education.

If access to better education is not the solution to perennial economic and social disparities then what is the "real" problem?  There must be some unseen barrier!  Could it be that the same key factors that cause youth to resort to crime are the ones that don't allow them to make meaningful progress in the classroom?  Knowledge can only take an individual as far as he or she knows how to apply it.  Many students lack the perspective needed to take full advantage of their educational opportunities.  Put Student Motivation First helps both teachers and parents bridge this gap through innovative classroom solutions.

There are two facts that underscore the need for programs like ours:  1.) Studies have shown that family income (which correlates to exposure to knowledge and resources) is substantially more significant to student readiness (upon entry) than race; and 2.)  Studies have shown that the classroom is a more significant factor in a student's learning rate than their home life. Considering these two factors, one can easily conclude that the immediate and continuing focus of public education should be to ensure that students are taught the skills that they miss out on due to a lack of exposure. The classroom is our best opportunity to stem student underperformance and improve the conditions of America's poorest communities.

MISSION

OECD (2018), Equity in Education: Breaking Down Barriers to Social Mobility, PISA, OECD Publishing, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264073234-en

We believe that education is the key to social and economic vitality for families and communities.  We also believe that, in light of the growing digital divide, there is a dire need for the implementation of programs and initiatives that will motivate students and promote what both research and practical observation point to as their "best interests."  Therefore, our mission is to positively impact as many school districts, neighborhood communities, and families as possible in route to producing meaningful research data that can influence policies that reflect the needs of today's students.

METHODOLOGY

Many students experience everyday realities that are not consistent with the realities that are presented to them in many school constructs.  As educators we must understand that, while oftentimes students' realities may not be conducive to them reaching their full potential, we cannot negate the relevance and impact of each student's reality on their behavior and learning.  In an effort to positively impact the trajectory of student success, our programs center on helping students create new realities of civic, career, and academic awareness.

​

WHAT WE DO:

  • Build community awareness for the importance of developing motivated students

  • Develop programs and initiatives for use in schools and other youth service organizations

  • Help schools improve culture and climate through speaking engagements and program implementation

bottom of page