Corporations in the Classroom

Although very brief, the beginning section of Chapter 2 touches on the subject of corporations sponsoring classrooms across the country because of a concern in shortages in their field of study. For example, Deloitte Consulting LLP is not only sponsoring classes for materials and books, but even makes the step to edit the curriculum of the class. Deloitte and other corporations hope to inspire students in their field and hopefully have them apply to work at their company in the future. There is both and upside and a downside that may result from this. The benefit is giving students hands on interaction of what exactly the work field is like as discussed in the article "Lets Get Real: Students Solving Authentic Corporate Problems . The programs purpose is to "challenge secondary studnets to solve actual business problems posed by corporate co-sponsors" (Holt 243). The book discusses how at one point companies would be happy to have students become customers, such as the article "Big Macs for Big Grades" which "rewards high student achievement with fast food" (Hann 1).

This sounds like a beneficial program however there is a huge controversy with parents surrounding the issue of compromising education and educational freedom due to the sponsorship of education. This is interesting to me because the future of education may sadly become worsened by the overwhelming trend of advertisement and marketing of corporations. I never would have guessed that advertising would take place in the classroom, even if sacrificing freedom of teachers curricula.

Holt, Dan G. "Let's Get Real: Students Solving Authentic Corporate Problems." The Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 82, No. 3 (Nov., 2000), pp. 243-246

Hann, Christopher. "Big Macs for Big Grades." District Administration, v44 n5 p40-41 Apr 2008