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Comment by ivankirigin | Hacker News Reader

In hopes to keep this on topic, I'll ask a question: what would a startup that is disruptive to our education system look like?

Automated education sounds good. But in practice systems could be much, much better. Most teaching programs I've seen are found in the bargain basement bin at Staples.

Why?

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A system like YCombinator that starts at the K-12 level. Students would be trained in programming, art, writing, and other methods of creation. When they graduate they get $15,000 and one shot at starting a business. In return, the school gets 2-10% of the company.

This makes my brain explode.

Ask Sequoia for ten million and try it as a charter high school?

The charter schools (mentioned at the last part of the show) are the equivalent of start-ups, while the big public school districts are like the big corporations. I think a mixed environment of (competing) charter and public schools is the way to go.

Most people would do just about anything to avoid the kind of stress and responsibility that comes with starting a business. This is in part due to upbringing, and your system would presumably attempt to remedy that, but to what extent will it succeed?

Being surrounded by smart, driven people is good for you, but there are minor side effects. For example, you start to think of the average person as far more similar to you and your friends than he really is.

My hope is that more people would choose stressful productivity over an errant sedentary lifestyle.

Can't you think of any options in between?

It would probably fail for all but the brightest :).

I suppose it doesn't matter as much for the rest. To better actualize the potential of the top 5% would be a wonderful change.

High school kids wouldn't even need the $15K. Just give em 2 year old laptops, a hosting platform, and let the parents provide for the basic needs.

> what would a startup that is disruptive to our education system look like?

Parents taking responsibility for educating their own children. I would never leave that up to government indoctrination school.

People have been brainwashed for far too long into spending all day working for someone else, while turning over their children to yet another third party -- composed of complete strangers -- at the same time. It's bizarre.

"Custom will reconcile people to any atrocity." -- George Bernard Shaw

that's not a startup

Sure it is -- two co-founders, creating something new, and seeing it through from a nascent stage to maturity.

I'll give your parents $1,000 for a 5% share of you. Do you have an exit strategy?

Declined -- already got a better valuation. Yeah:

    Five to one, baby, 
      one in five 
    No one here gets 
      out alive

But are you making something people want? That's the hope...

Wasn't one of the main reasons as to why most of us are joining a startup or starting our own, because our schools sucked so bad? this may be strange to say, but why fix it (besides saving costs)? look at places where education is good (Japan, Europe,...) and look at their entrepreneurial environment... I don't know about you, but most of mine were just mind numbingly boring. When I got to work for the big companies, it felt more of the same.... that's why I'm trying to stay out of those sterile places forever (while simultaneous trying to keep enough financial power)

I honestly was a poor student for most of my elementary school and high school education. In University I graduated near the top of my class (pats hand on back). Ironically, I think that high school above all taught me that I wanted to do a start-up. And even more ironically, I learned most of my math and English from my parents. School however was essential in teaching me empathy, social interaction, and I met most of my friends there.

Most educational software is towards students, but I think there is a huge need to empower educators, so they can create their own tech solutions for students.

Another area is parent involvement. Unfortunately the 20/20 show did not touch this subject, but I would bet that the underperforming schools also lack parent involvement.

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