NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship)

Mission Statement

NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) aims to activate the entrepreneurial mindset and build startup skills in youth from under-resourced communities to ensure their success and create a more inclusive society. The mission is to ignite the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures.

Vision Statement

NFTE envisions a world where all young people are equipped to pursue their dreams of entrepreneurship and are empowered to move their communities toward a more prosperous and secure future.

Core Values

1. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Central to NFTE's approach is fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, which equips youth with the skills and attitudes necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy.
2. Inclusivity: NFTE strives to serve under-resourced and marginalized communities, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to learn and succeed.
3. Innovation: Continuously seeking to improve educational methods and outcomes through innovative and experiential learning.
4. Partnership: Collaborating with schools, community organizations, and businesses to maximize the impact and reach of entrepreneurial education.
5. Empowerment: Enabling students to recognize opportunities, innovate, and drive their own learning and success.

NFTE's approach involves experiential learning models that integrate real-world business knowledge and skills development, aiming to prepare youth not just for successful careers but also to be the innovators and creators of tomorrow. The organization targets youth in urban and other underserved areas, aiming to transform their outlook and opportunities through entrepreneurship education.

At NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), the role of Stephanie Alvarado, the Director of Global Programs, is pivotal. As the Team Lead, she oversees the strategic and operational execution of NFTE’s programs across international platforms, aiming to expand and enhance entrepreneurial education worldwide. Her responsibilities include crafting global program strategies, managing international partnerships, and ensuring that program implementations align with NFTE’s mission and educational standards. Stephanie plays a crucial role in leading her team towards achieving the organization’s objectives of empowering youth with entrepreneurial skills in diverse international settings. Her leadership is vital for fostering collaborations with educational institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders across the globe, ensuring that NFTE’s curriculum and teaching methods are culturally relevant and impactful.

Stephanie Alvarado, as the Director of Global Programs and the Team Lead for the LEAP Project at NFTE, along with her support team, are excellently positioned to steer the project to success amidst the organization's broader objectives. Their collective expertise and strategic placement within NFTE provide a strong foundation for their roles in the LEAP Project:

Expertise in Global Program Management: Stephanie's extensive experience in managing global initiatives equips her with the necessary skills to oversee the complex logistics and coordination that the LEAP Project will entail. Her background ensures that the project aligns with NFTE’s strategic goals of expanding entrepreneurship education globally.

Leadership and Vision: As a senior leader, Stephanie has a clear vision for the integration of the LEAP Project within NFTE's larger mission. Her leadership is crucial for navigating the project through the organization's strategic priorities and ensuring that it receives the attention and resources needed to thrive.

Dedicated and Skilled Team: Stephanie’s team includes professionals skilled in program implementation, research, and educational training. This diversity in skills is critical for addressing the various aspects of the LEAP Project, from research design to the effective deployment of educational programs.

Experience with Multifaceted Educational Projects: The team’s prior experience with similar educational projects means they are familiar with the challenges and opportunities of implementing large-scale educational programs. Their expertise will be invaluable in adapting the LEAP Project’s findings into NFTE’s operational model.

Balancing Priorities: The team is adept at managing multiple projects and will leverage their experience to ensure that the LEAP Project does not detract from other priorities within NFTE. Effective time management and prioritization will allow them to maintain focus on both the LEAP Project and ongoing NFTE initiatives.

Access to Organizational Resources: Stephanie’s leadership role provides her team with critical access to NFTE’s resources, including data, networks, and funding. This access is essential for the successful execution of the LEAP Project, enabling the team to gather data effectively and implement findings smoothly.

Advancing NFTE’s Mission: The LEAP Project is directly tied to NFTE’s mission of fostering entrepreneurial skills among underserved youth. Stephanie and her team are committed to this mission and understand how the project contributes to broader educational and societal goals, which enhances their motivation and effectiveness.

NFTE programs leverage a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum and mindset training to empower underserved youth globally.

The solution proposed by NFTE seeks to address the critical problem of educational and economic disparities faced by youth in under-resourced communities. This multifaceted problem is characterized by a lack of access to quality education, limited exposure to entrepreneurship, and insufficient career readiness, which collectively hinder the ability of young individuals to participate effectively in the global economy and achieve upward mobility.

Key Components of the Problem

1. Educational Disparities - Students in under-resourced communities often face significant challenges in accessing high-quality educational opportunities. This includes overcrowded classrooms, insufficient educational materials, and a lack of experienced teachers. Such disparities result in lower educational outcomes, which directly affect students' ability to pursue higher education or gain meaningful employment.

2. Limited Entrepreneurial Exposure - Many young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds lack exposure to entrepreneurial role models and education. This absence of entrepreneurship education and mentorship restricts their ability to envision and initiate personal and community economic improvements. Without these skills and inspirations, youth are less likely to develop the innovative mindset necessary for starting new ventures or adapting to the changing labor market.

3. Career Readiness Deficits - There is a growing gap between the skills students acquire in traditional education systems and the skills needed in the modern workforce. This gap is particularly pronounced in under-resourced areas where schools struggle to provide updated curricula that include critical thinking, problem-solving, and technological skills.

NFTE's solution involves a comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship education that is designed to empower young people, especially those from under-resourced communities. Here's an overview of how the solution works, refined to include your specifications:

Core Components of NFTE's Solution

1. Curriculum - NFTE provides a structured entrepreneurship curriculum that involves 25-120 instructional hours (based on implementation model). This curriculum covers essential business concepts, including opportunity recognition, market research, financial planning, and business plan development.

2. Entrepreneurial Mindset Training - Central to NFTE's approach is fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, which includes skills such as initiative, risk-taking, resilience, and innovation. This mindset training helps students apply their learning to real-world situations, enhancing their problem-solving and decision-making skills.

3. Experiential Learning - Students participate in hands-on activities where they develop business ideas, perform market research, and present their business plans in competitions. This practical approach ensures that learning is active and directly tied to real-world applications.

4. Teacher Training - NFTE invests in comprehensive training for teachers, providing them with the necessary skills and tools to effectively deliver the entrepreneurship curriculum. This ensures that the program is taught with fidelity and adapted to meet the diverse needs of students.

How It Works

• School and After-School Programs - NFTE's curriculum is integrated into schools through elective courses or within core subjects and is also delivered through after-school programs and camps during school breaks.
• Licensed Implementation Partners - NFTE works through licensed partners around the world to implement its programs, ensuring a broad and effective reach across different regions and educational systems.
• Community Engagement - The program involves collaboration with local businesses and community leaders to provide students with networking opportunities and practical insights into the business world.

Outcomes

NFTE’s program has demonstrated significant outcomes in terms of entrepreneurial mindset growth, which is a primary focus of their assessment and research efforts. Additionally, NFTE boasts impressive achievements among its alumni:

• 95% of alumni believe the skills learned from NFTE are applicable in life and business.
• 90% of school-age NFTE alumni are enrolled in high school or college.
• 25% of NFTE alumni go on to start their own businesses.
• NFTE alumni earn 50% more than their peers, highlighting the economic impact of the skills gained through the program.

These outcomes underscore the effectiveness of NFTE’s approach to entrepreneurship education, demonstrating not only skill acquisition but also substantial real-world impact on students' lives and career trajectories.

NFTE has conducted various types of research to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs and establish a strong evidence base. These studies span foundational research, formative research, and summative research, alongside the development of influential white papers on the Entrepreneurial Mindset.

Foundational and Formative Research

NFTE has engaged in foundational research such as literature reviews to understand the broader context of entrepreneurship education and its impact on youth, particularly those from under-resourced communities.

NFTE has utilized formative research methods, including feasibility studies and case studies. This includes assessing the integration of their curriculum and teaching methods across various school districts and international locations.

Summative Research

Notable summative research includes a five-year evaluation by Brandeis University from 1993 to 1998, which showed significant impacts on participants' entrepreneurship knowledge and self-efficacy. Studies by the Harvard Graduate School of Education also found that NFTE students increased their college and career orientation and exhibited higher levels of entrepreneurial behavior, particularly in leadership roles.

Entrepreneurial Mindset White Papers

NFTE’s white papers on the Entrepreneurial Mindset synthesize insights from both practice and academic theory, exploring how the entrepreneurial mindset can be systematically developed through education and its impact on outcomes like academic engagement and career readiness. These documents provide a comprehensive overview of the eight domains of the entrepreneurial mindset, including opportunity recognition and comfort with risk.

These studies and white papers collectively underscore the effectiveness of NFTE’s approach in enhancing the entrepreneurial skills and mindsets of young people, supporting them in achieving greater educational and career success. They also help to position NFTE as a thought leader in entrepreneurship education, serving as a resource for educators, program designers, and researchers interested in the components of effective entrepreneurship education.

For more detailed insights into NFTE's research and impact, including access to their white papers, you can visit their website at NFTE Research & Impact.

The data collected from various research studies on NFTE's entrepreneurship programs has been instrumental in validating the effectiveness of the curriculum and shaping the organization’s strategic direction. Here are key findings and how they have informed NFTE's work moving forward:

Key Research Findings

1. Improvement in Entrepreneurial Mindset - Studies consistently show significant improvements in the entrepreneurial mindset among NFTE students. This includes increased confidence in starting a business, higher problem-solving skills, and better risk assessment capabilities. The focus on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial because it not only prepares students for entrepreneurship but also equips them with skills beneficial across various careers.

2. Academic and Career Impact - Research indicates that NFTE alumni are more likely to stay in school and pursue higher education. For instance, 90% of school-age NFTE alumni are enrolled in high school or college. Moreover, NFTE alumni earn 50% more than their peers, underscoring the positive economic impact of the program.

3. Business Startup Rates - Data reveals that 25% of NFTE alumni go on to start their own businesses. This is a significant metric, demonstrating the practical application of the skills learned and the direct impact on fostering entrepreneurial initiatives.

Influence on NFTE’s Strategic Directions

• Curriculum Enhancement - The data has led NFTE to continuously refine its curriculum to better foster the entrepreneurial skills that have shown significant impact. This includes integrating more real-world business scenarios and increasing the focus on financial literacy and digital skills, which are crucial for modern business environments.

• Expanded Focus on Teacher Training - Understanding that the effectiveness of the program heavily relies on the quality of instruction, NFTE has invested more in teacher professional development. Enhanced training ensures that educators are not only well-versed in the subject matter but are also capable of effectively transferring these skills to students.

• Scaling Strategies - The success rates in various regions have encouraged NFTE to expand its reach. By using licensed partners globally, NFTE has been able to implement its programs across different cultural and economic landscapes, tailoring the curriculum to meet local needs while maintaining the core elements that have proven effective.

• Partnership Development - Armed with compelling data on program outcomes, NFTE has been able to attract more partners and funders. This has not only helped in scaling operations but has also enhanced the program's credibility and attracted more substantial support from stakeholders.

• Policy Advocacy - The robust evidence base has also enabled NFTE to advocate more effectively for the integration of entrepreneurship education into public school systems. By demonstrating clear benefits in terms of educational and economic outcomes, NFTE is making a strong case for policy changes that support entrepreneurial training.

These findings and subsequent actions underscore NFTE’s commitment to data-driven decision-making. Continuously gathering and analyzing data ensures that the organization remains effective in its mission and responsive to the needs of the students it serves.

NFTE is poised to engage in the LEAP Project at a critical time when the need to strengthen the evidence base of its educational solutions has become increasingly paramount. This endeavor aligns with several strategic and operational imperatives:

Evolving Educational Landscape

The educational landscape is shifting towards skills that promote innovation and self-sufficiency, positioning NFTE at the forefront of this trend. However, as the demand for entrepreneurship education grows globally, NFTE must substantiate the effectiveness of its programs through robust evidence to stay competitive and relevant. This is crucial for adapting to the diverse needs of students across different regions and educational systems.

Scaling with Fidelity

As NFTE aims to expand its reach, especially in under-resourced communities worldwide, it is essential to ensure that the programs can be scaled without diluting their quality. Strengthening the evidence base will help NFTE refine its scaling strategies, ensuring that each new iteration of the program retains the core elements that contribute to its success. This involves understanding which components of the program are most impactful and how they can be adapted to different cultural and educational contexts.

Financial Sustainability

In an increasingly tight funding environment, demonstrating proven outcomes is critical to securing ongoing support from donors, foundations, and government programs. Funders are more likely to invest in programs with a strong evidence base that indicates high returns on investment. By bolstering its data on program effectiveness, NFTE can more compellingly argue for the value of its work and secure the necessary resources to continue its mission.

Policy Influence and Thought Leadership

Strengthening its evidence base enables NFTE to influence educational policy and practice on a broader scale. With solid data, NFTE can advocate more effectively for the integration of entrepreneurship education into public school curricula and influence educational standards and policies at both national and international levels.

Why Now?

The timing is optimal for several reasons:

• Technological Advancements: Current technologies allow for more sophisticated data collection and analysis, providing the opportunity to gain deeper insights into program impacts.
• Global Shifts in Education Focus: The global focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in education is increasing, creating a receptive environment for NFTE’s programs.
• Urgent Need for Skills Development: The economic disruptions caused by global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the need for resilience and adaptability in the workforce—skills that NFTE promotes.

Engaging in the LEAP Project now allows NFTE to leverage these conditions to enhance and expand its impact strategically. This project will not only help NFTE optimize its current programs but also equip it to lead the way in transforming entrepreneurship education globally.

1. What are the most cost-effective strategies for delivering NFTE’s entrepreneurial education programs, such as BizCamp, in diverse settings (e.g., virtual vs. in-person, use of local vs. central resources) without compromising the quality of education?

2. How can NFTE leverage partnerships and funding opportunities to subsidize the license fees for schools and organizations in under-resourced communities?

3. What are the most effective structures and practices for teacher professional development (e.g., online training modules, peer mentoring, centralized training workshops) that support the scalable and cost-effective delivery of NFTE programs?

For the 12-week LEAP Project sprint focused on NFTE’s initiatives, specifically targeting cost-effective delivery of programs like BizCamp and effective teacher professional development, the desired outputs are as follows:

1. Cost-Effective Delivery Models for NFTE Programs

Output: A comprehensive study design and framework that evaluates various delivery models of NFTE programs, such as virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats. This study should include:

• Data Collection Tools - Customized surveys and interview guidelines to gather feedback from current participating schools and educators.
• Cost Analysis Framework - A detailed breakdown of costs associated with each delivery model to identify the most cost-effective approach.
• Evaluation Strategy - Metrics and benchmarks to assess the educational outcomes and engagement levels associated with each model.

The outcome of this research will provide NFTE with actionable recommendations on how to scale their programs while managing costs effectively, ensuring that quality education reaches a broader audience without financial strain.

2. Subsidization Strategies for Licensing Fees

Output: A strategic report that outlines potential partnership and funding models to subsidize the licensing fees for NFTE’s programs in under-resourced communities. This report should include:

• Partnership Models - Analysis of successful partnership models from similar educational nonprofits and recommendations tailored to NFTE’s operations.
• Funding Framework - Suggestions for approaching corporate sponsors, grant opportunities, and public funding sources, including a template for proposals and pitches.
• Scalability Plan - Guidelines on how to implement these models across different regions, taking into account local economic conditions and educational needs.

This framework will assist NFTE in reducing the direct costs to schools and organizations, making entrepreneurial education more accessible to under-resourced communities.

3. Effective Structures for Teacher Professional Development

Output: A set of research recommendations focused on optimizing teacher professional development to support scalable and cost-effective delivery of NFTE programs. This should include:

• Professional Development Models - Comparative analysis of different training models, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each in terms of scalability and cost.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Tools - Development of tools to measure the effectiveness of training programs in enhancing teachers' ability to deliver NFTE’s curriculum effectively.
• Best Practices Guide - A handbook of best practices drawn from the research findings, providing NFTE with a roadmap for implementing the most effective training strategies across various contexts.

These outputs will provide NFTE with a grounded strategy to ensure that teachers are well-prepared to deliver high-quality entrepreneurship education, facilitating broader and more effective program implementation.

The work produced by the LEAP Fellows during the 12-week sprint will be critical in shaping NFTE’s strategies for scaling their impact and reaching more students and educators efficiently and effectively. These outputs will directly contribute to the continuous improvement of NFTE’s program delivery and expansion strategy, solidifying the organization’s commitment to providing top-tier entrepreneurial education.

Upon completion of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, NFTE aims to enhance its ability to reach more young people with equitable access to entrepreneurial training by working with more partners. This overarching goal will be supported by implementing the specific outputs provided by the LEAP Fellows. Here is our plan for action:

Implementing Cost-Effective Delivery Models

Action Steps:

1. Pilot Testing - Launch pilot programs in select regions to test the viability of recommended delivery models, adjusting based on feedback to ensure effectiveness.
2. Resource Development - Create and distribute training materials tailored to the needs highlighted by different delivery models.
3. Feedback and Adjustment - Set up a system to gather ongoing feedback from pilot tests to refine delivery approaches continuously.

Expanding Partnership and Funding Strategies

Action Steps:

1. Develop Partnerships - Use the strategic report to engage potential corporate sponsors and public funders, arranging meetings to explore funding opportunities.
2. Apply for Grants - Utilize provided templates to apply for grants and sponsorships that can subsidize program costs.
3. Adapt and Scale - Apply the scalability plan from the report across NFTE’s operations, tailoring approaches to regional needs.

Enhancing Teacher Professional Development

Action Steps:

1. Revamp Training Programs - Integrate the effective professional development structures into NFTE’s existing training programs, incorporating new modules and peer mentoring.
2. Monitor and Evaluate - Use new tools to assess the impact of training programs, making adjustments based on teacher feedback and performance data.
3. Disseminate Best Practices - Share the Best Practices Guide widely within NFTE and with partner organizations through workshops and training sessions.

The long-term outcomes of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint for NFTE focus on enhancing the organization's delivery of entrepreneurial education and expanding its impact:

1. Enhanced Scalability and Sustainability

   • NFTE will optimize the delivery models for its programs, such as virtual and hybrid methods, making it possible to reach more students across diverse locations efficiently and sustainably. This will allow NFTE to expand its programs without significantly increasing costs.

2. Improved Teacher Training and Support

   • The project aims to overhaul NFTE’s teacher professional development to ensure educators are well-prepared to deliver high-quality entrepreneurial education. This will improve teaching effectiveness across NFTE’s programs, enhancing the overall quality of education and its impact on students.

These outcomes are expected to lead to broader access to entrepreneurship education, particularly for under-resourced communities, and drive systemic changes in educational approaches to include entrepreneurship as a crucial component of youth education.