Student Enterprise Program (StEP) Proud recipient of 2009 Impact 100 Grant

The Economics Center for Education & Research’s Student Enterprise (StEP) is the proud recipient of the 2009 Impact 100 Grant. As one of two recipients, StEP received $103,000 to expand its operations from 19 to 23 low-income urban elementary schools in the Cincinnati area.

StEP creates a simulated market economy in the classroom, teaching students about fiscal responsibility, financial choices, and the value of hard work.

StEP provides incentives for students grades 3-6 for attendance, academic work, and positive behavior by allowing them to earn school currency to be used in school stores. By connecting the rewards with good choices, these incentives give students a sense of control and purpose in their lives.

“Every child needs a little help, a little hope, and someone to believe in them,” says Dr. Val Krugh, StEP’s Director. “We’d like to believe hope, help and advocates are provided to all children, but this isn’t always the case. This makes reaching out to low-income urban schools especially important. The Impact 100 Grant will allow StEP to extend its reach to more schools."

Impact 100 is an organization of women committed to improving
the Greater Cincinnati area through the collective funding of
grants to non-profits. In 2009, 206 women generously contributed
$1,000 each to make these two awards a reality.