THOUGHT LEADER, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIST AND MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL MR. JIM SMITH ENERGIZES NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON EDUCATION

 LARGO, MD (USA) – 6 April 2013 -- While many parents, educators, school administrators, and businesses, are alarmed about the glaring flaws in the American education system, Jim Smith, is energizing the national conversation on education and transforming America’s schools.

The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development’s (“OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (“PISA”), headquartered in Paris, issues a report every three years assessing the reading, mathematics, and science skills of the world’s 15 year olds in 70 countries. The PISA Report indicated that, in 2009, the United States had an overall ranking of 14th out of 34 OECD countries for reading skills, 17th for science skills, and a below-average 25th ranking for mathematics.  The 2012 PISA Report will provide a ranking for the United States will be released in December 2013.

 Reports like this one are why Jim Smith, after graduating from the Wharton School of Business in 2007, has devoted his life and his business acumen to designing and implementing innovative programs geared to help American children mature into highly skilled, productive adults in the 21st century global workplace. His recipe for success is utilizing high-technology in the educational process, while creating strategic alliances with key stakeholders in the business and tech business sector, who have a vested interest in an educated and highly-trained workforce.

So, who is Jim Smith? A Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Mr. Smith is Managing Partner at Digital Network Group -- an Information Technology and Management Consulting firm – and President of Kinetic Potential, Inc., a mentoring and life development organization (www.kpscholars.com). Mr. Smith holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business where finance and entrepreneurship were his areas of concentration. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics from Occidental College and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of Massachusetts. During his career, Smith has helped numerous corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations in the areas of strategic planning, outsourcing, global product development, system integration and program turnarounds, including AT&T, Verizon, GEICO, Bank of America, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the United States Social Security Administration, and the Republic of Liberia. Viewed by many as a game changer, Smith sees the work that he does transforming the American educational system as an investment in the future.

When reached for comment, Mr. Smith offered the following:

“Today’s youth face a growing number of social crises that make navigating adolescence difficult and impede the path to success. Over 1.23 million high school students failed to graduate on time, while more than 32 million young people under 18 were under juvenile court jurisdiction. These statistics are startling, and illustrate the measurable effects of failed education policies, unstable home units, and increased crime. And there are economic consequences behind these statistics. Juvenile crime, teenage pregnancies, and high school dropouts cost taxpayers billions of dollars a year and weaken the American labor pool. So, what’s the answer? Structured, after-school and youth development programs traditionally provide after school services, enriching the 2000 hours children spend outside of the classroom and decreasing the chance a child will engage in negative behavior. However, the Kinetic Potential (KP) Scholars Program takes these solutions a step further by integrating traditional youth development programs into a dynamic network of service providers that support not just youth development but life development of individuals from childhood through adulthood. This type of educational intervention is integral to the country’s economic future. A reality recognized by our partners in the global corporate community who we’ve partnered with to create the next generation of great minds.”

The Kinetic Potential (KP) Scholars Program is positively transforming educational systems, helping to create real-life career options for children and young adolescents, empowering educators, school administrators, parents, and stabilizing communities. For further information about the empowering work of Mr. Jim Smith and, visit http://www.kpscholars.com or send an e-mail to: ses@kpscholars.com or call 301-883-8256.