Frequently Asked Questions
What is Roots of Success?
Roots of Success is an empowering environmental education and job training program that prepares youth and adults from underserved communities for employment in 125+ jobs and career pathways in the water, waste, transportation, energy, building, health, food & agriculture sectors, and to be leaders and social entrepreneurs who can improve conditions in their communities.
Who uses Roots of Success?
Roots of Success is used by job training programs, high schools, youth programs, Conservation Corps, YouthBuilds, prisons, jails, juvenile facilities, reentry programs, community colleges, universities, public libraries, government agencies, programs for chronically homeless populations, environmental justice organizations, community-based organizations, and more.
Do graduates receive a Certificate?
Yes. All graduates receive a Roots of Success Certificate which indicates which modules they have completed.
What level are the materials written for?
Roots of Success can be used with participants of any literacy level or background. It is designed for visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners; learners from all racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds; learners of all academic levels; and learners with a wide range of prior experiences and knowledge.
On the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) test, our average student has 4th grade math and 7th grade reading skills; but our unique pedagogical approach allows each learner to absorb the information and process it through their individual lens. Students who have weak academic skills can easily and successfully go through the curriculum and quickly increase their knowledge and strengthen a wide range of academic skill sets. Students who are stronger academically also benefit greatly from the curriculum, deepening their knowledge and strengthening existing academic skills. The value of this approach is that instructors are able to teach to a diverse community of learners, each of whom has an enjoyable and meaningful learning experience.
Do you have additional resources for students and graduates?
We produce a “Green Jobs and Career Pathways Guidebook” that profiles over 125 green jobs and career ladders in the water, waste, transportation, energy, building, and food fields. To place an order for the Guidebook, click HERE.
How do I become an instructor?
Instructors are trained and certified to teach Roots of Success. We offer both on-line and in-person trainings at an affordable, one-time cost. We can train as few as one instructor and as many as 15-18 instructors at a time. Click here to learn more about the “Train-the-Instructor” trainings and schedule and instructor training.
Who created the Roots of Success curriculum?
What is environmental literacy?
How does Roots of Success develop environmental literacy?
How does Roots of Success integrate environmental literacy with academic literacy and professional skills?
Roots of Success works well with people of all educational levels, but it is designed to ensure that participants with limited academic and labor market skills can benefit from the curriculum and learning experience. It uniquely integrates environmental literacy with academic literacy and job readiness skills for audiences with limited academic proficiency by using innovative, multi-disciplinary curriculum design and delivery systems that actively engage students in the learning process.
Why do we focus on the Green Economy?
Why is a module on “Community Organizing and Leadership” included in the curriculum?
Why does Roots of Success include a “Financial Literacy and Social Entrepreneurship” module?
Who endorses Roots of Success?
“Roots of Success is the missing ingredient in the green jobs movement: an accessible curriculum that helps people gain needed skills while empowering them to improve environmental and public health conditions in their communities.”
-Van Jones, Green For All and Rebuild the Dream
“Roots of Success is particularly well suited for young people who have not been well served by the schools. It is a tool that can help address career and college readiness for young people with low levels of literacy. The curriculum works because it is engaging, adaptable, easy to teach, works well for students with different learning styles, promotes collaboration, problem solving and student leadership.”
– Pedro Noguera, Professor of Education, New York University
See the list of Programs using Roots of Success.