Dear Mayor Villaraigosa, Our Schools Are In a Mess and I'd Like to Help

High school graduation rates in certain states, like California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and ten others hovers around 50%. That's close to a third of the U.S. At the top are states that graduate 80%, but most of those states don't even have 1 million residents, such as North and South Dakota, and Montana, and only six others. The national average is 68%, but that's misleading because some of the most densely populated states, such as California, New York, and Texas have the lowest graduation rate. And some of the biggest counties have the lowest rates of percentage of high school grads going onto college (Los Angeles 11%).

This is one of the main reasons people like myself and others, of course, have gone private to help our floundering youth with their educational goals, if they are aware of any in the first place.

Enclosed is a letter to Mayor Villaraigosa that I wrote in an effort to bring some solutions to the problems to a city and county that is floundering. Because of the extreme hole the Los Angeles education system is in Mr. Villaraigosa has made education a priority, of course. That's good but bad because so many who are not steeped in the finer understanding of the real issues may just kowtow to popular opinion, meaning a band aid will be applied and not a solid solution.

Mayor Villaraigosa,

Regarding the School Educational Model for Alliance College-Ready Public Schools . . .

First, I would like to say that I am in agreement with the Alliance College-Ready Public School model, specifically and in summary: (statements in parenthesis are mine)

• small class sizes
• student-centered learning
• learning to outcomes (understanding of whys essential)
• teaching of interpersonal and communication skills (greater development needed here)
• critical thinking (critical)
• learning how to learn (too overlooked by most curriculums)
• parents as partners (greatest emphasis needed here)
• work experience (also critical in today's competitive global job market)

These are essential to any child's education and essential preparation for not only college but the work environment. However, in my years of working (three careers: computer field, entertainment, academia) and teaching ten years at the college level, I have been disturbed enough by the essentials students lack in preparation for college, career, and life, so much so that that I have formed my coaching company, Inner Projection, LLC.

As stated above, the above program is exemplary, but I'd like to take it a step or two further.

One of the core issues with any education is learning not only the three R's but going beyond to critical skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed in today's turbulent global economy job market:

• awareness & understanding of the new global economy
• how to learn from failure and prosper
• financial IQ appropriate for today's ever increasing cost of living and shrinking savings rate
• interpersonal skills going beyond those of the workplace (emphasis on marriage / family responsibility and its effect on the health of any society)
• Building on individual strengths and eliminating major weaknesses
• success skills (self-control; specific goals; self-confidence; habit of saving; initiative & leadership; freedom from fear, sustained hope, and faith in achievement; do more than you're asked; concentration & focus; seeking help when needed; tolerance and fair treatment of not only others but new ideas)
• critical / creative thinking, problem solving, intuitive insight, critical skills for today's employee who requires the entrepreneurial mindset (today's grad will have 3 to 5 careers & potentially as many as 10 which requires thinking as a company of one)

In addition to these issues are the great difference not only between school and college but college and the work environment. The American workforce is adrift in unprepared college grads who are little prepared for-or even aware of-not only what the general work environment holds but specific environments related to grad's career. More generally, employers complain that young workers are not disciplined enough or understand how to accomplish given tasks / assignments promptly and effectively, amongst other issues.

In addition, now more than ever, students must learn how to think critically, intuitively, and creatively. Less and less can students rely on companies for job security or pensions; therefore, students must learn how to problem solve and to synthesize existing knowledge with intuitive insight. More than ever before, students must be ahead of those with simple job skills and must put themselves at the forefront of consideration for employment amongst those competing for jobs through being a superior problem solver. This is critical.

But the issue is not just those coming up through the school ranks to college, but current grads and all those in the workforce who lack these fundamental skills. Far too many come to college unprepared and except for the knowledge gained still leave skill and attitude poor leading to 70% of grads within 5 to 10 years no longer working in fields related to their majors.

What is needed is a student-centered focus that begins early, at least freshman year in high school. The advisor or counselor must work with the student to pull from him or her strengths that will if not guarantee success at least ensure greater student / career match. And then character must be addressed, for no amount of talent, ability, or gifts can overcome the self-sabotage of poor character.

These issues and more are at the forefront of what is ailing in our schools and colleges. Unfortunately, the majority of what is essential is not addressed. My company, Inner Projection, and specifically the proprietary Success, Design, and Preparation system will fill in the 80 to 90% missing from our pre- and post-college students.

Thank you for your time.

Jeffrey P. Brown

CEO Inner Projection, LLC