Ele:Vating Urban Youth for Economic Health


 

Publication Date: February 2007

Publisher: Philanthropy Roundtable; Sagamore Institute for Policy Research

Author(s): Amy Sherman

Research Area: Education

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Economis is a token economy incentive system created as part of Ele:Vate, a major economic literacy initiative for lower-income youth designed and funded by a private Midwest foundation. Now kids in Jim Flaherty's class earn credits, in a currency called "Bling," for punctuality, homework completion and classroom behavior. "We chose behaviors that were transferable to the workplace," Flaherty explains. "We want to train the kids to have the same attitude they'll need to be successful on the job when they grow up."

In Philanthropy Magazine.