Tiny Interventions Can Help Reverse Our Sky-High College Dropout Rate, FastCo.Exist
Less than two-thirds of students at four-year universities complete their degree within six years. Even worse? Only 29 percent graduate from a two-year school within three years. A recent report from Ideas42 reveals that simple solutions like supportive text messages and built-in study blocks can help solve this systemic problem.
Why Social Ventures Need Systems Thinking, Harvard Business Review
Some companies led by a single innovative thinker have brought about great change. But as Evan Marwell’s success with EducationSuperHighway demonstrates, it really takes a serial entrepreneur to tackle large-scale issues in order to revolutionize an entire system.
Five Voices on Reforming the Front End of Justice, The Marshall Project
Local innovation is reforming the criminal justice system. Five experts from various sides of the issue reveal how community and law enforcement collaborations reduce recidivism and crime rates, lower costs and save lives — all the while keeping citizens safe.
MORE: This One Bill Could Make Criminal Justice Reform a Reality
Tag: social venture
This Urban Farm Has a Very Unusual Key to Success
Urban hydroponic farming can grow produce with less space and water than traditional methods and no soil at all. But these farms are fussy and complicated–if you mess up the chemistry, you can kiss a whole crop good bye overnight. That’s why Jan Pilarski created Green Bridge Growers. Her son Chris, who has a degree in chemistry and environmental studies but also has autism, is an ideal candidate for managing such a complex system. People with autism have a 90 percent unemployment rate, but Pilarski saw an entrepreneurial solution to Chris’ challenges. Many people with autism, like Chris, excel at work that involves minute attention to detail, precise timing, and constant monitoring–the exact skills you’d want for running a successful aquaponics farm. With the farm’s Indiegogo campaign exceeding its initial $15,000 goal to build a commercial-size facility, Pilarski hopes to hire four more workers for the project.