Promoting Entrepreneurship among Inner-City High School Students

Abstract

This article presents findings from an evaluation of an entrepreneurship and community economic development initiative implemented in three Chicago public high schools. Assistance in program implementation was provided by a nationally based education advocacy organization and several community organizations. Although two of the three schools were quite satisfied with the program’s implementation, it was difficult to document improvements in student outcomes. The author discusses difficulties in evaluating such projects, including reasons for noncooperation with data collection efforts, and the value of individual student outcome measures in the face of serious barriers to success.