“Frequently Asked Questions”
Why are you a worker co-op?
We believe that the worker co-op business model provides the most flexibility and capacity for explosive growth by harnessing the creative powers of our team members who “own” their jobs. See the links to Ricardo Semler and Mondragon Corportation at ProResource page.
Why are you a non-profit corporation?
Because we are not working for profit but for passion. Our passion is to help children overcome the challenges of life today. All our resources are shared with our communities and our members. Our capital comes from contributions or borrowing if necessary.
What is your product?
Our product is a more enlightened next generation. A democratic republic such as ours cannot survive unless we improve the wisdom of our citizenry. Because 85% of the next generation will be educated in our public schools, for our country to thrive we need to improve our educational results. Instead of being in the top of industrialized nations of the world, the U.S. has fallen behind in almost any measure of student achievement with the exception of the few very talented individuals. We all have a stake in that improvement and we ask those with resources to meet this challenge by investing in our simple program of supplying more human resources to the task.
Who do you sell to?
Everyone, especially individuals, philanthropists, foundations, and businesses, who share our vision of a public education system that excels in every way.
Why are your services “free”?
Because public school districts need our help but don’t have enough resources to pay for them. Also, families and students need our help with after school programs, especially those who are already financially challenged. To the extent that we are supported by private funds, we can offer our services without charge while paying reasonably those who perform those services.
What is the most important change you would make in the public schools?
Providing additional human resources to the classroom is our well-considered mission. There are many approaches to improving our schools, but after long consideration we believe that to support teachers by providing those who request assistance, a teacher assistant to help on a part time basis in their classroom is the simplest and most direct means of improving educational outcomes. Many of these will be retired teachers who will be paid by EEC and coached not to interfere with the teacher but to provide assistance. We like to call it the “grandparent effect” so three generations are working together for their mutual benefit.
How else do you plan to help public school students?
By establishing robust after school tutoring and mentorship programs in reading, writing, the arts including music, athletics, especially Olympic sports, and training in STEM technical skills that will survive off shoring and automation, particularly sustainable, healthy, high tech food production as in hydroponics and regenerative agriculture.