Detroit is Trying  Can we do as well?

Education/Video

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With the Big Three hurting so badly, everything in the Detroit-Windsor area is in trouble.

For many years the Detroit Public School system has been racked with controversy, lack of performance and yes incompetence in the administration.

After the riots in 1967 a priest and a nun tried to actually do something.  They started Focus Hope.  This is an amazing story.   We urge you to click on the above link to learn more. 

The subject of our article is a feeder system to Focus Hope and it is called "The Math Corps"  It started in 1992 with one man, a professor at the huge Wayne State University, who thought he could make a difference.  He along with a colleague started to teach mathematics to 7th and 8th grade kids in 'the hood' as they say.  Impossible, improbably, inconceivable, yes all of that, but if you can watch the video below without a tear coming into your eyes, then you are jaded indeed.

We first came upon the Math Corps after seeing a special on it aired on PBS a year or so ago.  It struck usas amazing. 

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10/06/2009 02:47 PM

Could it work here?  Yes, we think it could. Could it work within the Bluewater School Board.  No, for sure it could not.  Their are too many policies and procedures and script driven curriculums. 

It would be like pushing a rope up hill.  It would be better done in conjunction with an organization like the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, which has a facility and an organization that is trying to reach out to the community.  The program could be an important adjunct to the 'normal' educational programs run by Bluewater.

We are going down and visit the 6 week summer Boot Camp and one of the Saturday sessions.  We can do it with private volunteers and maybe some sponsorship from local business.

Now for the great little video.  Take the time to view it.  It's very short.

Math Corps Video Click Here (requires flash player)

All about Math Corps Click Here