THE HAAN FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN

Supporting efforts to improve education

Our primary mission is to unite scientific research, education practice and technology toward the goal of improving education for all children. We will mobilize practices and programs that prove to be highly effective into schools, after-school programs and the homes of students.

Our vision is to add new breadth to the fields of learning. Through "gold standard" research we will analyze, design and disseminate winning practices and programs that target instruction to many different learning profiles, improving both the strengths and weaknesses that are inherent in all learners.

Current Projects:

Power4Kids Reading Initiative

New 3R's in Afterschool ~ Remediation, Resilience, and Relationships

Federal Education Funds Project

"New Learning" Programs

Our ultimate goal is establishing a research institute that will unite scientists from varying disciplines (brain sciences, biological sciences, environmental sciences, behavioral sciences, education sciences, and genetic sciences) to study and develop a comprehensive understanding of the following: (1) how the mind works best when gaining knowledge; (2) environmental factors that may impair neurological functions; (3) environmental related biogical issues; (4) genetic traits effecting cognitive abilities; and, (5) behavioral and emotional dynamics on learning aptitude. Working with scientists, technologists and designers, the institute will coordinate knowledge and develop programs and practices that enhance a number of learning skills.

PONDER THIS for a moment...

Can you remember being called on by a teacher and feeling humiliated in front of your peers?

As adults, we prefer to forget moments of pain and anxiety experienced in school; yet, emotional devastation leaves its mark.

For a moment, reflect on what it might be like to experience this type of embarrassment--this fear--every day. How would you feel? How do children who can't read their textbooks, spell, write, or perform basic math skills cope? How do they escape their suffering?

Truancy, drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancy, crime, teen suicide, and dropping out of school are common results of academic failure. Children, adolescents and young adults want to learn, they want to succeed. We must unite to find the best programs and practices to help our nation's children succeed.

Education and science are ready to unite.

A Message from the Board of Directors

Why we are involved:

It is tragic, yet true, that children who struggle to learn are frustrated and discouraged throughout their academic careers. Whether the cause for academic failure is environmental or biological, the outcome is the same. These children will experience feelings of worthlessness. Frequently, they are considered lazy and unmotivated, when often the opposite is true.

Sadly, many children never outgrow academic failure and the ensuing feelings of inadequacy and dejection, which lingers on through adulthood. As John Steinbeck portrays so well in East of Eden: human failure frequently turns to fear. After fear there is a deep sense of sadness because of the failure. Sadness turns into anger at oneself and at society. Over time, anger evolves into hate and hate manifests violence. This is how the destructive cycle of human failure perpetrates. Sadly, the effect of academic failure in childhood and adolescence can last a lifetime.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the United States had made almost no progress in improving educational achievement over the past 30 years. Yet, as a nation we have increased real public spending per student 90% in the same time period. NAEP has also determined that 38% of fourth graders in the United States fall well below the basic level necessary to read their textbooks. With statistics like this, we can easily project future demand on prisons, welfare, poverty, and addiction clinics that are routinely the byproduct of academic failure.

As educators know, the foundational skills necessary to flourish in school are reading, writing, and fundamental math. Without these basic skills, academic achievement is seldom possible; nor is the offshoot, future success in a text-technology driven economy. With these skills, a student has a good chance to acheive an education, and a greater opportunity to have a fulfilling career.

In 2003, more than 10 million children experienced academic failure and the associated trappings of fear, sadness, anger and humiliation. America’s educators, policymakers, and citizens want improvement as witnessed by the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Improvement is up to us. We must garner our talents, join forces with science and research, and ensure our students are given the skills needed to fulfill their dreams.

What we hope to accomplish:

The Haan Foundation for Children is devoted to a quest, ensuring every child receives an education, that no child is left behind, and that each student:

(1) masters the foundational skills of reading, writing, and math;

(2) acquires science and technology proficiency;

(3) attains symbolic and abstract reasoning ability;

(4) learns to work collaboratively as a part of diverse teams; and

(5) becomes skilled at communicating, using a variety of media and devices.

We have the power to provide children a fertile education. There are huge societal benefits to remedying widespread education deficiency. These gains yeild a cumulative payback that ultimately leads to more employed, tax-paying, responsible citizens. Responsible citizens are able to contribute to the well being of their families, as well as their communities. Isn't it time to to improve education?

Together!
Haan4Kids