Charlese's Blog

Eliminating Poverty

2011-06-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have found myself talking to a variety of people about the status of the economy. Of course, I cannot escape commenting on the state of our educational system. When I read about what's going on in schools and inside of the classroom, I cannot help but run into statistics about poverty or economically disadvantaged children. There is so much out there about children and the lack of money. For the record, the lack of money has nothing to do with the development of brain cells. Now, some can argue that if a woman has proper care during pregnancy, then the likelihood of her having a normal healthy child increases. Given that, labels do nothing but retard the advancement of our educational system.

There is only answer to the poverty issue - empathy.

A while back, Tyra Banks performed a very brave feat. She hired a professional makeup artist to create a "fat suit" for her. She wore the suit for one day and went about her daily routine. She said at the end of the day, she was in tears. The looks of admiration she was used to getting turned into looks of disdain. She said that she was devastated. There have been several cases where judges have forced slum lords to live in their own apartments. Nothing beats first hand experiences.

Poverty is a condition. It may be temporary or not. It certainly does not limit a person from learning. But, the attitude of how we view "poor" people is what keeps them suppressed.

When natural disasters strike, one of the first line of defenses is to send money. The victims of these disasters can tell you that it takes a lot more to replace what they lost than just receiving money. Money is not the answer to every problem.

It will take serious work to change how we view teaching children of "lesser" means.

Empathy - what would it do for us? Well, walking in another person's shoes could make all the difference in the world. It would certainly help us "tolerate" other people. It would certainly help us see the world from a different perspective. Our eyes would be opened. It would help us to teach all children equally.

Too may people (and organizations) are capitalizing on the "poverty" issue. There are consultants, consultants for the consultants, more consulting, software, web sites - and the list goes on and on.

Studies have already debunked the myth that poverty has any connection to the ability to succeed. What turns children around from success is deliberate notions of labeling. Children don't like labels. Labels box in innovation and creativity into a corner. And, children don't like that.

It's up to the forward thinkers to correct the problem of learning in schools.

Empathy is not to be taken lightly. In order for a white person to understand what an African American person experiences on a daily basis, he would have to take on being African American. It would definitely be humbling. It's not so fantastic when (as an African American) you are turned down from a job merely on the basis of skin color instead of qualifications. This is happening everyday. It's 2011 people!

An undercover camera followed a white couple in an upscale bridal store. The couple was met with a gracious greeting and given two glasses of champagne. At the same store, an African American couple entered. This couple was not greeted, not given glasses of champagne, and followed throughout the store. After a brief cold shoulder, the African American couple left the store.

What is it that makes us perpetuate this notion of "difference?"

It's not the notion of poverty at all. That is a mere smoke screen. The deeper problem lies with how we view people and our notion of categorizing them into painted squares. Lord forbid, someone move from their designated square. We must let go of these old ways of thinking if we are to eliminate poverty and equalize how children are educated in our culture.

Otherwise, we'll just be broke hypocrites!

How we can help our children succeed

2011-03-09T01:41:00.000-08:00

The Select Commission on Higher Education and Global Competitiveness for Texas reports that “Texas must make dramatic improvements at every stage of the education pipeline.” According to the report, half of high school graduates who are African American go to college. The number dramatically drops to 6.8% for African Americans completing college. The Commission followed a group of 100 students from seventh grade through college. This is probably one of few reports that actually collected information on children in order to assess and analyze data for possible solutions. It’s in the solutions to the problem that I take issue. Not surprising, the report contains many graphs displaying extrapolated projections regarding the distribution of future populations in Texas as well as the distribution of sub-populations. In some areas of the state, Hispanics will be in the predominate majority. It should be noted that (as far as education is concerned) African American students will continue trailing Hispanics, Whites, and others. Almost automatically, the report leans toward limited economic means as a possible explanation to the problem. The report suggests that additional support services, student resources, and additional financial aid programs are needed to meet the problem head on.

Is money always the answer? In the wake of a huge deficit and budgetary cuts, why would we introduce ideas for additional programs that will only help to spin the wheel, but not move us forward? The lack of achievement of African American children should be of serious concern. There is an entire generation out here that cannot read pass the eighth grade. Time is of the essence. And, finger pointing is not going to solve the problem. The question is: how do we proceed from this point?

I certainly would not continue throwing money toward programs with new names. Besides, African Americans (historically) have been dealing with deprived conditions for generations. So, that can’t be the answer. I would suggest that the attitude about economic conditions and achievement connections be radically changed – immediately. This type of thinking is keeping African Americans from achievement. In a recent article from the Harvard academic group, the connection relating achievement to economic conditions was debunked. The group claims that it will continue studying this phenomenon. Phenomenon? If my grandmother were alive today, she would take a hearty laugh at this because she, and others, knew that her “poverty” had nothing to do with her encouraging her children to succeed. Heck, she didn’t even know she was poor until somebody told her. All of her children attended college and received full scholarships. All three became teachers. All three became coaches, and very successful coaches I might add. In most African American circles, the laugh continues. Why would someone think that there is a connection with my potential achievement with how much money I have? I have had conversation with some leaders in the field who claim that children in limited economic conditions lack exposure. Some even claim that this same group lacks standard vocabulary. In 1959, the notion of economics tied to achievement was propagated. The philosophy of a parent’s income influencing a child’s willingness to attend college was born. My grandmother did not attend college. When I read information like this, I think to myself – that’s why we’re in this mess. Why should a family’s economic status even matter? One trend of thinking is that poor children don’t have the resources at home. The supposition states that poor parents don’t read to their children because they have to work more than one job and books are not available. There are actually groups that do home visits to read to children of poor families. That is admirable. But, how much of a difference is it making in achievement? I guess it’s too early to tell. What is true is African American children are slipping – from the classroom to the legal system. What will be true is that African American children will have no desire to finish high school or go to college if the current attitude is not addressed. The statistics will be worse than what is projected in the report.

If anyone is concerned about doing the right thing for African American children, the right thing to do is not to discuss what is lacking. That is the fastest way to lose these children. Quite frankly, I am tired of hearing about the lack of finances as a reason for a child’s lack of achievement. It almost sounds insulting. What’s that “old saying?” Give a man a fish and you feed him for today; Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

Teachers who kill derams

2011-03-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

"You'll never amount to anything!" As a parent, how would you feel if your child came home from school with this comment from a teacher? In fact, if your child is a minority, your child may indeed be coming home with that message. Are you aware of the various ways this message is being transpired in the classroom? Statistics tell us that teachers call on boys more than girls in Science and Math classes. Minorities are boxed into certain goals that "fit" stereotypes. Achievement gaps don't all stem from a lack of resources in a classroom. Money cannot buy nurturing. Money cannot buy compassion. It's about attitude. Is your child's teacher directing the lesson to the "whole" group? How would you know if this is happening? One clear way - look at the school's overall school rating. What is the achievement gap? That's the clearest indicator. If the gap is wide, then there is a more inherent problem than classroom resources, standardized lesson plans, or incorporating the latest teaching techniques. Another indicator is student involvement in extracurricular activities. If this number is only a fraction of the overall school population, then a red flag should pop up. Children respond to positive environments and positive people.

The teacher sets the tone.

"Bad" teachers kill dreams silently. They are not aware of it. It may be that they may not have a strong grasp on the subject. They may not be accustomed to teaching very challenging students. They may not feel comfortable asking for help. Whatever the reason, students all over the nation are dropping out because of it. Maybe, the children are telling us something. Are we listening? Can a person in authority say: "Hey, I know you're a nice person, but classroom teaching is not your bag?" Test scores are a mere reflection in the inconsistency of dynamic instruction. Think what a difference it would make at a school if every teacher were an expert in her field and a teacher who could relate any topic to what she is teaching. Isn't that what separates Ivy League schools from the rest? The quality of instructors is top-notched. Why do we allow teachers who do not have a true command of their subject to teach our children?

Certification tests tell only a fraction of the story. Anyone who graduates from a program of study can claim to "know" the material. But, can the person teach the material? That's a different matter all together. Parents need to be aware of the challenges we face. Despite what the current education climate is out here, there is still a need for great teachers. Politicians know that and community leaders know that.

It's time we set our sights on having only the best of the crop teaching our kids. Subtle biases and prejudices have no place in front of innocent minds.

Children know. They can read us very well.

They are paying attention.

The Education Gap and Dr. King's Dream

2011-01-17T00:57:00.000-08:00

The question still looms some 42 years later: How do we keep Dr. King's dream alive? The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of high aspirations for all children, in particular African Americans. He took a bullet to the head for the causes of non-violence, voting rights, and civil rights. How is it that 42 years cannot heal the deep wounds that integration and slavery left on African Americans?

About half of this time, I have spent in the public school system as a classroom teacher. I have seen a lot of changes. During the 60's, I was a product of "early" integration practices. For some school districts, integration did not occur until years after the federal laws took effect. First and foremost, people must recognize the truth. What hurt African Americans achieve in education was largely due to the exodus of whites from the public school system. Once private school options were made available to the affluent and privileged, the public school children were left behind. A new form of integration emerged. At first, we recognized the problem, but were hesitant to correct it. It was in that period of hesitance that African Americans lost their footing. Concurrent with the plight for a better education was the fight to get better paying jobs. The full court press was on. Most African American families could not support a private school tuition. Public schools were in deplorable conditions. These buildings were beginning to be the epicenter for breeding violence and turmoil for the African American in America. There's more than one way to keep a man down. Dr. King would say that all the time. He foresaw the ills that society would lay upon his people for future generations.

Dr. King knew that his people would not be given a fair opportunity unless a strong foot was holding open the door. Hence, drugs were introduced into the African American community. Public schools were made contact points. What comes as a result of drugs? Violence - the very thing that killed great African American leaders. Drugs prevent the aspirations, the goals, the dream. There is no way to educate a drug-filled mind. No way! While the African American people were "celebrating" over victories like the Civil Rights Act and the Voting bills, others had more devious tactics in play. Know this - a sick person can't play well.

No African American leader in today's world can speak on the education achievement gap without first discussing the drug problem in the African American community. The suppressed sleep from drugs have stifled creativity and genius. It's killing our babies far too soon and putting guns in the hands of young people before they can walk. Drugs and violence have become staple corners in our culture.

If anyone is serious about closing the achievement gap between African Americans and whites, then education about alternatives to drugs must be addressed. The African Americans have provided such a profound road map for a pure scientific study until it's almost too perfect to be true. Back in the 70's, you may recall a push from some groups to focus on drug education. Predominately African American public schools were in impoverished areas. So, kids had to walk to school surrounded by folk who were high as the clouds. The temptation to get rich quick has always been a part of the "American dream." So, drugs acted as an avenue for some to attain fame and fortune, while those addicted succumbed more to the wrath of society: jail, debt, or the morgue.

There is no way to close the achievement gap without making radical changes. There is no way to attain equality without making radical changes. Addiction is an integral part of the culture for African Americans. Purely scientifically, it would take a long time before drugs are removed from our reality. In these hard economic times, people are getting more and more desperate. Do you know how hard it is to educate a child today? When I tell students to go to college, they look at me as if I have a third eye. "Mrs. Brown, I know people who make more money in one week than you probably make in a year." Do you see the challenge? To top that off, students are high in the classroom. How can you get anything through to a person who's not really there? I tell you - the problem is deeper than funding classrooms for additional resources or making sure that tutoring is available after school. These are superficial solutions that are temporary at best.

We have to go back to basics. Honesty is the best policy. In order to close the achievement gap for African Americans, we have to honestly preach to our children "stuff" they already know: there's a unlikely chance that you will live past 70 (as a male)/there's a greater chance of you going to jail than anyone else around you/you will probably know someone who will be shot before age 20/there's a high probability that you will have HIV/there's a high probability that you die of heart disease and cancer/there's a high probability you will not attend college.

African American children work well with the truth. It's when they feel like you're running a game on them that they rebel. If you have time, listen to the music that in their ears right now. A lot of people want to hold back the truth thinking kids can't deal with it. But, they're stronger than what we think at times. It's the lack of openness that's keeping the African American child down. It's our code of secrecy that's helping them to become addicts. Early on, they "get it." We have to stop selling our children so short. Teach them the honest truth and the gap will close. What do we have to lose?

From the board to their brains

2011-01-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was asked by a student teacher: how do you reach that girl who keeps talking? I looked at her and said, "Easy. Watch and learn." She did just that.

What is a student telling you who talks throughout your entire class period? When I attend conferences or seminars, the presenters seldom address how the child is perceiving the information or how to consider that something else may be at play. What teachers are fed is: here are some activities that you may find useful to your classroom. Have these people heard of the internet? For over 20 years, I can attest that a child will pay attention to you if they want to.

And, that's the key.

What's stopping them from doing what they normally do? In the early 1990's, a method of facilitating was introduced. A teacher acts as a facilitator. A facilitator guides and directs. A facilitator "lets go." Most teachers find this extremely difficult to do. How can I let go and teach at the same time? This almost sounds contradictory.

The notion allows the student to make her own mistakes. Allow the student to take ownership of the mistake. There's one thing about a mistake - make enough of them and you will learn a lesson. Teaching is not an overbearing profession. If a teacher feels comfortable in her own skin and has a depth and breath dimensions of the topic, then watching children GO should not a problem. The teacher who is unsure and insecure about her knowledge sets a battleground for herself in the classroom. Any place she walks may be a site for a landmine.

So, how did I get the young lady to stop talking? I allowed her to get it out. When she realized that she was not stopping the show and that the show was continuing without her, she began giving me short pauses - just enough to hear a few directions. After a while ( a couple of days), she stopped all together and talked at the appropriate times.

If you are struggling with class management, drop me an email at charlesemagazine@yahoo.com (subject line: class management/consultation). I would be more than happy to present a dynamic series to your school, community forum, or consult with you personally. Once again, all I ask is that you reference me as the author of this material. Fees are extremely nominal.

A Time for Renewal

2010-12-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

During the holiday season, take time to renew your vows - to yourself. Take time to relax and renew your mind. Do something that you enjoy. Here's a "tiny" article written for and published in The National Association for Executive Women Magazine.

I unwind in a most unorthodox fashion. I write. To many people, this seems like more work. For me, it's the best therapy on the market! After churning out my first book, I have geared myself up for the second. When I return home from a very hard day, my routine includes talking to my dogs and getting out the laptop as soon as I can. Mental exercise works best for me. Dogs listen well and they’re always so glad to see you. A sincere greeting makes a big difference, especially when work doesn’t treat you so kindly. You can always count on a soft pair of eyes and ears that are perked - ready to listen. The good thing about using my dogs as a sounding board is that they don’t judge and whatever you say in “Vegas” stays in “Vegas.” Second to writing comes reading newspapers from other countries. Reading various perspectives and various viewpoints are very high on my “intrigue” list. None of these things take the place of the true joy, which is to listen to my children hold conversations with each other. I am a teacher, yet they teach me about life.

Think of measurable and achievable goals for 2011.

Surround yourself with positive people and good things will return to you.

The "Take Off" Program (C)

2010-12-13T21:53:00.000-08:00

Take Off^©

According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, the typical student spends the equivalent of one full year during the K12 experience under the supervision of substitute teachers. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em – that may be the solution for teacher absenteeism.

Most states offer teachers a pretty good retirement plan. The problem is – federal taxes are not deducted and there is no payment into the Social Security system. So, what’s left when teachers feel “pissed” on? Taking off is usually the answer. Teachers get about ten days each year to use as sick days. Veteran teachers that are near retirement have to use the accrued days or lose them (to a set minimum level). And, who wants to do that?

The Take Off^© Program actually encourages teachers to come to school while being awarded time off from the job. The psychology is quite simple. Most people like choices. Why do teachers take their days (besides the legitimate reasons)? Teachers are overworked and underpaid. Teachers feel worthless and abused. Check out the school calendars. Most of the extra work involves teachers attending workshops, meetings, or after school activities. What are the “outward” displays of appreciation? At one of my school assignments, I noticed the serious lack of teacher appreciation. I sat on the amenities committee. That year, there were three people retiring that had worked, collectively, for over 100 years. I thought to myself: these ladies cannot receive plaques or watches. As I investigated the availability of money for awards, I discovered that there was money in General Funds. The principal allowed my committee to purchase awards that these women could look on with pride for a long time. One of the ladies had breast cancer. She had been an extraordinary teacher for over 30 years. Another lady had been the school’s secretary for 40 years. She had stomach cancer. The third retiree had been a cafeteria worker for 30 years. Who could see these years of dedication go by with a handshake and a plaque? So Herculean efforts were made to secure a fine hotel room, serve a delicious meal, and allow the ladies to speak after a brief program. The standard had been set. The Take Off^© Program allows for teachers to be appreciated with honor, not just with an email. But, more like how corporate giants show their gratitude for a hard-working employee. The program works on a few general principles:

All teachers deserve recognition
School stakeholders understand that volunteers will be needed to relieve teachers
Teachers are held in the highest regard

Administrators must buy into the notion that teachers are more than just test monitors. Too often, classroom teachers are dumped on. The morale has to pick up if teacher absenteeism is to decrease. Too much money from school districts goes toward paying substitutes.

What you can do at your school?

Build a strong list of parents that are willing to act as substitutes. Pay for their lunch ($3.00)
Compile a data base of teacher attendance
Build strong ties with your Chamber of Commerce group, travel agents, and spa directors
Form a committee to draft letters of interest to every business in your community that is “get away” oriented (i. e. hotels, spas)
Form a strong alliance with businesses that respond
Offer businesses a way to give back to the community in exchange for them giving the school gift packages
Acknowledge your business partners all over the school
Enter perfect attendance names in a weekly drawing

List the names of perfect attendees on the general email. Let others know who is in perfect attendance. Recognition, Recognition, and Recognition – is the key to reducing teacher absenteeism.

Have the committee start the ball rolling with a weekend giveaway at a local hotel. Teachers need to buy into this program immediately and see the reward program working. Everyone likes giveaways. If a teacher remotely thinks that she could have a shot at a hotel giveaway, she will be at the job. Assign a special parking spot for “Teacher of the Week.” Place the Teacher of the Week’s picture on the televised announcements and on the school’s web page. Rent a horse or a top down car and have the Teacher of the Week ride out on the field during football season. The ideas are endless. The grand finale prize is at the end of the year.

During the school year, the parent volunteer group awards the winners by relieving them of one hour of teaching. The teacher is free to sit in the lounge area or take care of personal business. The important aspect of this award is that the teacher receives praise.

Notice – not one part of this program has cost the school district one dime.

The name of the game is sincere recognition. The only requirement is coordination.

Teacher absenteeism will not be one of your school’s problems with this program, despite geographical space, low pay, days of testing, staff development, extracurricular activities, or any other task that teachers are required to do.

Once you decide to take the big leap into the classroom environment, ask your school to incorporate the Take Off^© program. It will certainly build morale. And, high morale results in a pleasant working climate where people are producing results.

That’s what makes people want to work!

(Please reference me as author of this program. If you would like a specific plan tailored to your school, do not hesitate to contact me. It's free - with reference to the owner. Include "Take Off" Program on the subject line: claceybrown21@aol.com. The program belongs to the copyright with So, you wanna be a teacher: what to know before changing careers, 2010).

Love what you do

2010-12-08T01:05:00.000-08:00

In my upcoming book, "So, you wanna be a teacher," I stress the importance of having a passion for teaching. paraphrasing portions of the book: you will know early on if you have the "stuff" it takes to teach. It's a feeling, a psyche, if you will. The standout quality is that other people pick up on the gift the moment they enter the room or shake your hand. If you're an avid follower of the television show Criminal Minds, you take away from each episode that "professions" have profiles. If you take notice of what the investigators do, you will begin to observe that the decisions you make in life create your profile. It's really very easy to spot once you begin to be a student of observation. Everyone has a profile. Ever meet a person in the mall and she makes a comment about your child: Oh, he looks like he's going to be a football player? If you've ever been summoned to be on a jury, even the lawyers assess your mannerisms, style of dress, and your profession. Lawyers and judges tend to think that teachers make the best jurors because we deal with a variety of personalities and we have perfected the art of listening for the truth.

To be a good teacher, one has to have two primary qualities: 1. The gift to teach and 2. Answering the call. The third, and a close second, is a command of the subject matter. Answering the call: you may have read stories about doctors, missionaries, nuns, priests, or ministers describe how they heard "the call" and answered it. Some people hear the call, but do not answer it. Those people are teachers too. They are the ones who are unhappy. And, it shows. The response to "the call" takes guts. It is life encompassing.

.... more to share later. The book will be available soon.

The Exclusion Principle

2010-11-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

The Pauli exclusion principle is a quantum mechanical principle formulated by the Austrian physicist Wolfgang Pauli in 1925. In its simplest form for electrons in a single atom, it states that no two electrons can have the same four quantum numbers; that is, if n, l, and m_l are the same, m_s must be different such that the electrons have opposite spins.(Wikipedia). In "real" language, the principle means that two electrons cannot be in the same place at the same time.

The public school model has taken the opposite approach - to force inclusion. It is now the law of the land that anyone deserves the least restrictive environment. In theory, this is not a bad thing. In practice, it is the single most important issue running new teachers from the classroom. New teachers have a whooping attrition rate of 3 - 5 years. It is extremely difficult to handle 25+ personalities and teach the subject all at the same time. This is certainly not a profession for the lighthearted.

Nature takes care to preserve harmony. But, we come along to "include" kids that really don't belong together. Having the right chemistry in a classroom means everything toward being successful. despite all the data, schools continue to force teachers into designing methods that include all lines of thinking, while operating on the least amount of resources.

Teachers are often asked, "What can we (administrators) do to help?" Are these rhetorical questions or are they really able to provide? In this economy, my best guess would be that the questions are primarily a matter of courtesy. Now, I must make it clear - I am about educating the whole child.

Discrimination, in any form, is wrong.

What teachers find difficult is a room filled with special needs in a so-called regular classroom. What wins up happening is that disruptive students sap the life out of the room. The way the structure is set up, it's very hard to remove the disruptive child because of the special needs laws. Teachers are required, by law, to "handle" the situation. In other words: deal with it. Hence, the other students may receive a diluted education. The system spirals out of control and the powers that be sit in wonderment.

Accommodations must be made for the good of the whole. If a child is disruptive, special needs or not, that child should be removed for the safety of the other individuals. Some people that I have spoken to claim that it's not easy to do that. As a response, I ask the question: what are waiting to have happen? Sometimes lessons are learned too late. I think there's something to be said about the exclusion principle. Even nature understands that each "thing" has its own space.

I seldom like to leave a challenge without offering a solution. In the legal sense, parents have pushed for their children to be mainstreamed. Too often, children who are "different" are discriminated against. That is wrong. The students who are being referenced here belong to a group who have "played" the system long enough to gain protection under the guise of "special needs" who do not deserve the services. Or, they are students who have been misdiagnosed. How are these students identified? Last year, I had a student classified as dyslexic. Right before class started, he took out his phone to read out loud (very fluently) a text message he received. Before I began to enforce the "no phone rule," I asked him to read it again. He did. For years, he had been relying on the dyslexic special services. He is an African American male who was probably diagnosed too early and he was never retested. On another occasion, I attended a "special needs" meeting for another African American high school student. As the meeting progressed, I noticed that the young man gazed very intently on people's lips as they spoke. One of the teachers to his right called him to answer. His face happened to be directed to the person on his left. He eventually turned his head because he "felt" that people were still talking. I asked for permission to speak. Once acknowledged, I told the diagnostician that the child could not hear. Everyone looked so surprised. It took about 10 minutes to observe this. Needless to say, the meeting was being held because the child was a severe discipline problem in the classroom. I don't need any flowers thrown at my feet (as my grandmother used to say). The point is that the laws have tied our hands to the point that children are not being served to the fullest extent. And, when the problems are discovered, it's almost too late.

One thing for certain - we can't fight nature! With that in mind, my hope is that teachers no longer have to leave a profession that they are truly called to do.

Every child deserves to be taught by a gifted teacher.

In the business world...

2010-10-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

In the world of business, a return on investment is the benchmark for an investor participating in the success of a company. Can you think of what the return on investment is for our schools? Who are the investors? Who are the clients? Without much thought, most people would choose the student as the client and the general population as the investors. Actually, it is the other way around - in a sense. The students have to "buy" what teachers are "selling." If the student gives the environment a good rating, it stands to reason that they are promoting the product to the community. When students feel good about their schools, the community ties in as well. In the world of business, this could mean that profits increase and shareholders get larger dividends.

Dividends drive the interest. School districts are trying to attract students who will come prepared to learn. Who's in charge of the marketing component? The leaders of most schools have degrees in education. To sell a product will take a bit more maneuvering than just knowing pedagogy or educational theory. The students have left the building. And, they will tell you that. The majority of public school students find no value in the school system. Some districts try to "cover" the holes, but today's child can see right through them.

Everybody wants to get into the debate of what to do to increase the graduation rates. One of the initial strategies proposed by the present administration would be to nationalize school standards. Of course, this would uncover the perpetual incompetence from many years where folk have done just about anything to retain their jobs in school districts. "It's about the students" is what school leaders profess. Is it really?

In the business world, a person would receive a raise for promoting a profit, for increasing awareness to the company, and for raising the return on investment - not in the school systems in this country.

A correlation between providing resources to students and the failure to implement effective strategies in classrooms consisting of predominantly low socio-economic students

2010-10-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Abstract

This study will attempt to show that resources used in the classroom primarily to increase the equity of low socio-economic students and others have no significant bearing on positive educational outcomes unless tied to specific and directed strategies. For at least the past twenty years, the educational literature has cited volumes of work showing that low-socioeconomic families are less likely to provide educational success for their children (Ramsey and Ramsey, 1984). On the surface, these findings definitely have their place in scientific forums. It is my contention that the full story has yet to be told. Resources without strategy mean nothing. The hypothesis is simply that if a student were given a viable resource, such as a computer, without structure and clear direction, then the finances spent on these kinds of resources not only lead to a worse condition, but contribute to the waste of educational funds. The literature also notes that the high drop out rate has a direct link to a family’s financial status. (Demarest, et. al., 1993). Improving intrinsic motivation will be one of the proposed solutions. If the traditional literature is correct, then our schools should not be failing. There is something else going on. Targeted strategies are the complete answer.

Read entire article by link.

How NOT to discount your market

2010-10-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

Collaboration

How NOT to Discount Your Market: An Innovative Approach to Sales

Charlese Brown, MBA

charleseweddingmagazine.com

A Charlese Wedding and Home Magazine White Paper

Collaboration

How NOT to Discount Your Market: An Innovative Approach to Sales

Executive Summary

This Charlèse Wedding and Home Magazine™ White Paper is designed to help large corporations see the benefits of collaborating with smaller companies to increase sales for the future.

Charlese Brown, MBA

Marketing Expert

Business spending trends are turning away from traditional modes of promoting their products and embracing the newer entry – the technology of the internet. However, large corporations have not yet realized the benefit of spending advertising dollars with smaller, lesser known companies. Here, a strategic analysis will be presented which will propose a viable solution that large companies can use to become more business friendly with smaller companies.

This white paper will explore the following questions:

How can large corporate conglomerates seek out “smaller” significant players?
What are the advantages to giving the “small” guy a chance?
How can spending with smaller enterprises create and complete the innovation cycle?

“Strategy” has a credibility crisis. In many companies the very notion of Strategy – with a capital S – has become devalued.

----- Hamel, Prahalad: Competing for the Future

What is the future for the advertising market? All bets are on the internet component. In the first three quarters of 2007, the top ten companies held back ($670 million dollars) on their television advertising with an emphasis on online spending. Supply and demand is still the motivating factor behind what companies spend to promote their products. More people are turning to cable and internet sources for purchasing. Fewer people are watching regular television where commercials play a key role. Holding back on spending in the first three quarters of 2007 allowed companies a chance to observe the trends that buyers are taking. This “time out” also gave companies time to restructure an overall strategy and to come back stronger.

US Online and Total Media Advertising Spending

2006-2011 (billions % of total media spending)

Year	Internet	Total Media	Internet of Total Media
2006	$16.9	$281.6	6.0%
2007	$21.4	$287.5	7.4%
2008	$27.5	$295.5	9.3%
2009	$32.5	$301.5	10.8%
2010	$37.5	$309.0	12.1%
2011	$42.0	$316.0	13.3%

Figure 1 (Source: www.eMarketer.com)

According to future trends, big businesses will be relying heavily on online spending to get the word out about their products. It seems obvious that the natural shift would be toward more digital formatting. While competing for the future, have big corporations missed the obvious? The premise surrounding spending money is to make money – more money. Is it really necessary to spend millions of dollars? Let’s analyze past data.

Estimated Annual U.S. Advertising Expenditures 2004-2006
(In millions of dollars)

	2004			2005			2006
	$	% Sh.	% Chg.	$	% Sh.	% Chg.	$	% Sh.	% Chg.
Newspapers	46,614	17.7	+3.9	47,335	17.5	+1.5	46,555	16.5	-1.6
National	7,629	2.9	+3.7	7,465	2.8	-2.2	7,084	2.5	-5.1
Local	38,985	14.8	+4.0	39,870	14.7	+2.3	39,471	14.0	-1.0
Magazines	12,247	4.7	+7.1	12,847	4.7	+4.9	13,168	4.7	+2.5
Broadcast TV	46,264	17.5	+10.3	44,293	16.3	-4.3	46,880	16.6	+5.8
Network (i)	16,713	6.3	+11.2	16,128	5.9	-3.5	16,676	5.9	+3.4
Spot (nat'l)	11,370	4.3	+14.3	10,040	3.7	-11.7	11,626	4.1	+15.8
Spot (local)	14,507	5.5	+7.3	14,260	5.3	-1.7	14,887	5.3	+4.4
Syndication (ii)	3,674	1.4	+7.0	3,865	1.4	+5.2	3,691	1.3	-4.5
Cable	21,527	8.2	+14.4	23,654	8.7	-9.9	25,025	8.9	+5.8
Cable Networks	16,424	6.2	+17.7	18,296	6.7	+11.4	19,320	6.9	+5.6
Spot (local)	5,103	2.0	+5.0	5,358	2.0	+5.0	5,705	2.0	+6.5
Radio	19,581	7.4	+2.5	19,640	7.3	+0.3	19,643	7.0	NC
Network	836	0.3	+4.7	814	0.3	-2.6	798	0.3	-2.0
Spot (nat'l)	3,540	1.3	0.0	3,469	1.3	-2.0	3,642	1.3	+5.0
Spot (local)	15,205	5.8	+3.0	15,357	5.7	+1.0	15,203	5.4	-1.0
Yellow Pages	14,002	5.3	+0.8	14,229	5.2	+1.6	14,393	5.1	+1.1
National	2,110	0.8	-0.1	2,163	0.8	+2.5	2,206	0.8	+2.0
Local	11,892	4.5	+0.9	12,066	4.4	+1.5	12,187	4.3	+1.0

Direct Mail	52,191	19.8	+7.9	55,218	20.4	+5.8	58,642	20.8	+6.2
Business Papers	4,072	1.5	+1.7	4,170	1.5	+2.4	4,195	1.5	+0.6
Out of Home*	5,770	2.2	+6.0	6,232	2.3	+8.0	6,731	2.4	+8.0
National	2,530	1.0	+10.1	2,736	1.0	+8.1	2,955	1.1	+8.0
Local	3,240	1.2	+3.0	3,496	1.3	+7.9	3,776	1.3	+8.0
Internet	6,853	2.6	+21.3	7,764	2.9	+13.3	9,100	3.2	+17.2
Miscellaneous	34,645	13.1	+8.3	35,692	13.2	+3.0	37,321	13.3	+4.6
National	26,907	10.2	+9.6	27,822	10.3	+3.4	29,380	10.4	+5.6
Local	7,738	2.9	+4.0	7,870	2.9	+1.7	7,941	2.8	+0.9
Total National	167,096	63.4	+9.6	172,797	63.7	+3.4	182,483	54.8	+5.6
Total Local	96,670	36.6	+4.0	98,277	36.3	+1.7	99,170	35.2	+0.9
Grand Total	263,766	100.0	+7.4	271,074	100.0	+2.8	281,653	100.0	+3.9
(i) Network includes ABC, CBS, FOX & NBC (ii) Syndication includes PAX, UPN & WB / ION, CW & MyNetwork *Out Of Home replaces Billboards, to include billboards on buses, etc…

Figure 2 (Source: Universal McCann)

The internet seems like the mode of choice for most advertisers. Clearly, the thrust is skewed greatly. Media, such as newspapers and radio are feeling the effects of a difference in the “social media”, commonly referred to as online marketing. National media seems stable because of its reach. The overall tendency of advertisers to spend in areas unrelated to the internet is slowly moving toward slim and none. “Relate to the customer on his own terms” is advice given for advertisers from marketing experts. The online shift is forcing advertisers to be more precise in their approach due to the fact that people have become more reader savvy and are looking for the “meat”, not the fat. Is online advertising truly meeting the needs of more customers on their own terms? Traditional thinking proposed that advertisers paid costs according to the potential audience number. For instance, Super Bowl ads cost more because a lot of people watch the game and pay attention to the commercials. The online market still does not have a hard and fast formula which will track customers. Customers are essentially “hidden” and the sole mode of determination lies in sales. A company can run an ad on a particular website, obtain the website “visitor per page” data and still lack significant numbers that it is accustomed to using from other forms of media. Figure 1 clearly shows a huge thrust toward online advertising as opposed to the data presented in Figure 2. Figure 1 has even exceeded what was predicted for the spending for year 2006 from Figure 2. Marketers are scrambling about trying to make sense of the “numbers” game for the future of advertising sales to their clients. Predictions are more difficult to make in the online world because of the “emotion” variable. The only clear way to track success is to realize an increase in sales because of an advertisement in a particular location. One of the positions of this paper is to point out that money is being wasted on advertising where there are no clear numbers on

which to hold. By 2009, we probably will not be able to generate a data chart like the one proposed by Figure 2. The only component that can we can insert is the amount spent. Earnings from this spending are part of a futile effort to track. Everyday, more online activity is emerging. Generally, people do search for product information and for bargains online. However, there are a large number of people who do not have computers or internet service. How would corporations reach these people? Are large corporations interested in reaching this group? How can corporations seek out significant companies which already have this group captured? What is the plan “B” when the electricity to power this service is no longer available? To trust (over 50%) of one type of advertising is a gross mistake.

The 10% (a minimal number) households without computers have televisions. Research suggests that in household without computers, television is watched at a higher rate than in homes with computers. The research suggests that the rising climb in poverty is responsible for this 10%. Corporations that provide diapers, baby products, cleaning products, etc. still need to reach these individuals. That 10% is a very significant figure when you take in consideration billions of people. Some experts advise large corporations to use a multi-channel approach. This would enable advertisers to use other vehicles to carry their information with, of course, much less money spent on reaching this group. This paper is suggesting that large corporations utilize what is already in place. Smaller enterprises hold the key. Corporations should seek businesses which have made an impact on their local communities. Advertisements would be significantly cheaper and the goal of reaching a wider, more diverse, audience would be achieved. The advertising “mix” that companies use should never discount sub - target markets. That has been a traditional mistake. Too often, companies go under because they forgot to include that variable. This is same variable that can come along to side swipe the business. Cases in point: Caterpillar and Komatsu, Ford Motor Company and Toyota. There are more than several examples of how companies have not “included” in their equations the smaller enterprise. It is imperative that corporate giants look for companies in which to collaborate. The smaller businesses have already done the legwork and provided the foundation for the “grass roots” experience. Large companies should choose these business partners wisely.

Another common mistake is that advertisers tend to think that if they spend more on media advertising, the better it is for them. Recent inquiries into the advertising fee for magazine prices amounted into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is difficult to find a print publication is charging under $10,000.00 for a color ad. This begs the question: Why is food that is healthy for the body more expensive than food that is not? The general answer is that greed is driving the market. Advertising fees are competitive. The force behind the price has a lot to do with perception. It is hard to understand how this got out of control. Now that big companies have a secure lock on their market, a smaller enterprise finds it next to impossible to enter. When Reebok first entered the market, Nike had to do some serious regrouping. There will always be new entrants. The point of this discussion is to create a win-win design in which everyone can eat at the same table. This model also promotes employment, which is one of the indicators of our economic strength.

What are the Advantages of Giving the “Small Guy” a Chance?

Large corporations should continually stress innovation. The future competency of a company depends on this innovation. If a car is being assembled on an assembly line, it is up to the owner to personally speak with everyone on that assembly line. The advantage: “Good Business.” The person who installs the window now feels important. Psychologists suggest that one of the things people need is to feel needed. If advertisers turn solely to online marketing, the emotional piece will eventually fizzle out and go away. It is incumbent upon big businesses to include lesser known businesses into their portfolios. In a long run, the discounted group can turn out to be a corporation’s worse nightmare. Statistics released this month indicate a decline in the automobile industry in the United States as opposed to the increase in sales of our foreign competitors. If companies that are on top now wish to remain on top, they should form a new division on their marketing team that would survey areas for key “smaller” players and always be on the lookout for businesses that can help them move forward. Also, collaborations with small businesses will help them to operate more effectively. In general, people will begin to see the value and reliability of the company. This type of one-on-one conversation is a form of advertising posted as a trend for 2008. Companies have to make their products a community conversation. It cannot be argued that online activity, such as blogging, promotes some action. Collaborating with small businesses closes the loop. This is where corporate giants need to be – at the end, collecting on the deal.

Another clear advantage to this approach is, being first always make the difference. The leaders of this trend will be the giants that will make the historical marks on the future of advertising.

How would big business measure a Return On Investment (ROI)? The answer – invest slowly and carefully in your selected small business. Severe ties with customer-based reactions to measure ROI. This component should depend on a futuristic approach – how is the customer changed by the product? Does the customer return? Can one customer encourage others to buy the same product? The smart move would be to remain faithful to what has been working for you and to implement the collaborative piece gradually. What big businesses is looking for is staying power. If the smaller enterprise happens to be a fried chicken restaurant on the corner in the midst of nowhere, USA, the only thing that matters is how long it’s been there. Twenty plus years speaks highly of someone in the ownership capacity. That person certainly understands a little bit about how to make a restaurant work. Big businesses also can learn from that restaurant on the corner. It didn’t move. It stayed where it was well-received, where people could be met and greeted personally. This strategy will require strong leaders in the industry. This is a call to re-do the way old business has been done. For a long time, big businesses have “boxed out” small enterprises, largely due to the fact that corporate revenues indicate status. Competitions that recognize “The Business of the Year” have gross income as it criteria to select a winner. This is wrong. The economy has changed since just fives years ago. The playing field is being leveled. The future of big business is to collaborate. It’s time to change the rules of the game. ROI is to

invest in the future of your company. The reason why companies are finding it harder these days to measure ROI is because of the vast variability in the market. In a scientific experiment, there has to be a control group. This control group sets the standard by which all other variables are measured. It is a very precise method. To carry it further, when results are published, the results are accepted by the ability to reproduce those results. Research, that is considered good research, stands on the fact that other people can follow the directions of the experiment and achieve the same end. Business models should be no different. Anyone starting a business should be able to follow the exact same plan and achieve the same results. The challenge in front of the business world is to think more globally without the labor-intensive calculations that attempt to track every penny. The idea is to look at the solution to this problem in a more holistic fashion. Longevity holds the key to success. It creates trust, value, and reputation (branding). Supply and demand are at the heart of sales. At the rate that companies are entering into the market, consumers will find it difficult to remain with only a few suppliers. Web sites are easy enough to build. The younger generation has shown us the power of marketing tools such as video and personal web pages. The market has become overwhelmed with all of these new tactics. Those tactics do not have “staying power.” This does not mean that no new strategies will occur. Of course, they will. It makes sense to change. The concern is not to put all of the eggs, or most of the eggs, into one basket. Global economy is smaller than before – merely because of the world wide web. The word “demographics” will become as extinct as the dinosaurs. Companies can no longer track a target market if anyone has the slightest access to a web portal. The smart move would be to engage in a variety of methods to advertise to promote the product. Corporations have the power to push the trends onto newer grounds. If the big businesses do not take advantage of this opportunity, they will experience a shortfall – because they need the very group that they historically ignore.

Companies compete in building core competencies that transcend the resources of individual business units. Coalitions compete to create new competitive space. Economists, strategy researchers, and managers have too often assumed that competition is limited to the market for goods and services. Yet competition for foresight, competition to build competencies, and competition to shape industry evolution through a coalition are all examples of extramarket, or nonmarket, competition. The fact that this competition takes place outside a ‘market’ doesn’t make it any less real. An insensitivity to this broader scope of competition can prevent a company from adequately preparing for the future.

----- Hamel, Prahalad: Competing for the Future

Resources

1. Estimated Annual U.S. Advertising Expenditures 2004-2006

Universal McCann

2. Hamel, G. and Prahalad, C. Competing for the Future. Havard Business

Press. 1994.

3. Isidore, Chris. Automakers end a tough '07 with lower sales. January 3,

2008. http://www.cnn.com

4. Liodice, Bob. Trends to Watch in 2008 Plus Micro-Trends that will Affect

America in 2008. December 17, 2007

http://adage.com/article?article_id=122609

5. US Online and Total Media Advertising Spending

http://www.emarketer.com

About the Author

Charlese Brown is an entrepreneur, creator of training for entrepreneurs, an educator of 20 years, owner and publisher of Charlèse Wedding and Home Magazine™, author of From Tuesday to Friday, contributing writer to local and national periodicals. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master of Business degree from Regis University in Colorado. She can be reached at claceybrown21@aol.com or 979-820-1639.

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