A General Message to Concerned Parents:

You are likely aware, but just in case it has snuck up on you, the world of business has changed. Your child’s ability to earn a life-long higher income level hinges in very large measure on them having quality 21st century skills. The global marketplace is a single, level playing field where competition has become a matter of survival of the fittest, according to Thomas L. Friedman in his best-selling book "The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century." With this new awareness arises a different set of challenges for businesses, and it changes the rules for students, job-seekers, and the educational institutions charged with preparing them.

Parents, now more than ever need to understand what it will take for their child to be a successful workforce candidate, and armed with that knowledge they are prepared to take an active role in the transfer of that information to their children. The BETR Project assists, parents, educators and businesses via collaboration and online communication to prepare students for learning and career paths appropriate to Friedman's flat world.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (a.k.a. STEM) means business, and it gives assurance of success for your child throughout Colorado and the nation. These many times overlooked, or under looked, skills likely will mean the difference between being in a steady in-demand employment situation, and are key to achieving economic prosperity for your posterity.

The earlier in life these needed skills are stressed the better. Many studies show definate and conclusive results that state this fact.

We ask you to take part in The BETR Project Programs and events.

You may sign up for the highly popular Tuesday Tours, view the online REEL Biz Virtual tours, Postive Role-Model Education Program (PREP Videos), or chat online with a STEM Mentor with knowledge in a STEM related career.

Parents participate in Tuesday Tours to understand the tasks workers are expected to perform in various types of business

• Identify skills which employees need now and in the future
• Understand how math, science, communication, social skills, and technical applications are used in business and needed by students to succeed
• Establish ongoing communication between you, your students and business

  All tours will start at 3:30 p.m. and end at 5:00 p.m.
  2009/2010 School Year Tour Dates: October 20, 2009; November 17, 2009; January 19, 2010; February 16, 2010; March 116, 2010; April 20, 2010

What are the qualifications of a highly qualified employee in 21st century business?

Check out these videos and let your students view them. The associated videos we will assist students, parents and teachers in gaining a deeper understanding of the world of work and to emphasize the need of producing highly qualified, work ready students.

These PREP videos stress factors of the resiliency and determination needed to face challenges, live through them, and move forward with courage, confidence, and hope to move into careers they may not have dreamed of.

The PREP videos examine teens, young adults, or adults, and will show how they overcame major life obstacles to become successful in school or in work. Everyday problems most kids encounter, minorities successes, non-traditional career choices, and thinking outside the box make these videos especially compelling—and their successes especially inspiring.

As students, their parents, and teachers view the PREP videos they will discover that kids are not alone in facing various life’s difficulties. They learn about resilience—insight, independence, relationships, initiative, creativity, humor, and social skills—that everyone needs to survive and thrive in even the toughest times. The Prep videos are open and candid; these videos might motivate viewers of all ages to build the skills and strengths they need to triumph over adversity through the adoption of positive role-models and new heroes. They are designed to assist youth in becoming a successful player in their future business opportunities.

This is an electronic mentoring community which provides an opportunity for, business workforce members and retired STEM subject matter experts and STEM degree seekers. Teachers, parents and students may use this powerful online collaboration application to understand the need for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in the real-world.

The efforts of The BETR Project do not end with conveying the need for STEM skills- soft skills are also in high demand by employers. These qualities include, but are not limited to, effective verbal and written communications, objective and critical thinking, a finely-tuned ethical and moral compass, and organizational, problem-solving and leadership abilities.

If you share the vision and have experience in STEM related careers, or feel a urgency to give back and would like to assist students and job-seekers in the states of Colorado and Wyoming - then please visit the STEM Mentors section of this website for more details and registration materials.

Thanks – together, education, BETR, business and you make a difference.

Parents as Teachers is the overarching program philosophy of providing parents with child development knowledge and parenting support.

Parents Challenge is dedicated to improved academic achievement of all kids, but especially those in low socio-economic circumstances who are performing at alarmingly and unacceptably poor levels. Since parents are the most important educators of, and decision makers for, their children, Parents Challenge informs, motivates, activates and empowers them to become more engaged in, and have more control over, their children’s’ education. We do this with the goal and expectation that those children we support will make meaningful academic progress. 

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment