Educational equity is a measure of educational achievement, justice, and opportunity that is often absent within school districts. Schools in underdeveloped regions experience a lack of opportunities in various ways. Students are not afforded an adequate amount of resources, which results in students struggling to excel in school. New York City is home to the largest public school system in the entire world, yet the disparity between schools in different districts is heavily present.
To bridge the achievement gap in NYC, I can open a tutoring center to help economically disadvantaged students. The center would be a non-profit organization to ensure that tuition is free for all students. Incorporated NPOs require a business strategy to earn revenue to cover expenses by leveraging activities related to the organization’s cause. To generate income, I can collaborate with a team of qualified instructors to develop test prep material to sell externally. Since I have hosted seminars on important topics such as the high school application process, I believe that holding these seminars is a great way to generate additional revenue by selling tickets. Moreover, these related services will be free for current students so that they are not missing out on opportunities and resources due to their low socioeconomic status.
Once I have established a steady stream of revenue, I will begin opening other branches in neighborhoods where students struggle more in school. These branch offices’ goal is to make the business’s services more accessible to those who need it. Several neighborhoods in NYC, such as Hunts Point and Ozone Park, have some of the nation’s worst-performing schools. Opening these branches will allow motivated students to expand their knowledge and explore more opportunities. I will open centers in school districts where the high school graduation rate is less than 50%.
As more branches open, it will become more difficult to cover the expenses of the tutorials. However, one way to alleviate some of the costs is to create a volunteer program with students at higher-education institutions in the city. By collaborating with universities and even certain high schools, the tutoring centers will have the necessary resources to continue teaching without putting money towards salaries. Furthermore, the main office can hold fundraising events, such as dinners, to raise money for the different branches. If necessary, the tutoring centers can apply for grants from other organizations, corporations, and state/federal governments. These grants can help fund the project for a specific time period so that the tutoring centers can build a strong foundation to continue operating in the future.
At the tutorial I volunteer for, I witness how additional help with schoolwork can help students immensely. Students are often highly motivated and driven, but they require a stepping stone to reach success by opening these centers. I can work towards ensuring that students in all districts are given a fair chance while producing educational equity.