Purpose
The primary purpose of business education is to provide instruction for and about business. Students learn the basics of personal finance, develop techniques for making wise consumer decisions, master economic principles, and learn how businesses operate. In addition, business educators play a prominent role in developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for students to succeed in the workforce. Further, business education courses provide the impetus for students to successfully complete college programs in one of several business areas.
The multifaceted discipline of business education includes subject matter areas that focus on the core areas of business (management, marketing, finance, accounting, entrepreneurship), on factors that affect business (economics, international business, business law), on basic skills (computation and communication), and on examining business from different perspectives.
One of the most important components of business education is information technology. In this critical area students learn to use computers as tools in conjunction with related software. In addition, they learn to make decisions, to produce professional documents, to communicate via the Internet, and to research topics utilizing libraries around the world.
Programs/Services
California Department of Education staff provide leadership for the following programs and services that support business and marketing education.
- Development of instructional resources, such as Model Curriculum Standards, Integrated Performance Activities, and Economics of Business Ownership.
- Comprehensive staff development activities that include statewide conferences, regional workshops, and summer institutes.
- Development of assessments in business education that incorporate the Business Technology Core.
- Sponsorship and coordination of the career-technical student organizations: DECA, and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
- Development of business education programs, such as career path clusters, exploring business technology, and entrepreneurship.
Funding
The federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act provides funds annually to support state and local business and marketing education programs.
Students Served
The largest career-technical education enrollment in California is Business and Marketing Education, serving over 650,000 students annually. Additionally, the California Department of Education supports two career-technical student organizations--DECA and FBLA. These two leadership training organizations annually serve over 9,200 students.
More than 4,000 instructional programs in Business Education are offered in secondary schools, Regional Occupational Centers/Programs, and adult schools.
Outcomes/Benefits
Outcomes
California Department of Education supports the following business and marketing programs and services resulting in a variety of tangible outcomes:
- Staff training activities for teachers, administrators, and counselors
- Curriculum materials which are based on content and performance standards
- Partnerships with representatives of business and industry
- Instructional resources, such as the Workplace Strategies Manual, Program Sequence Guide, and similar documents
- Grade-level articulation (elementary through postsecondary)
- On-site technical assistance in program and instructional delivery systems
Benefits for Students
Business and marketing education programs and services provide the following benefits for students:
- Interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills necessary to function in multi-cultural business settings
- Select and apply the tools of technology as they relate to personal and business decision making
- Career awareness and related skills to enable students to make viable career choices and become employable in a variety of business careers
- Communicate effectively as writers, listeners, and speakers in social and business settings
- Become entrepreneurs by drawing from their general understanding of all aspects of business
- Ability to participate in business transactions in both the domestic and international arenas
Business Education Core Assessment Project
Business Education Core Assessment
Project
A multiple-choice instrument that focuses on the Business Education
Core Standards.
Industry-Based Certifications
Outside Links
Business Education
Resource Consortium (Outside Source)
Business
Virtual Enterprise Programs (Outside Source)
California
Business Education Association (CBEA) (Outside Source)
California DECA (Outside Source)
Future Business
Leaders of America (FBLA) (Outside Source)
Contact
Business and Marketing Education is administered by:
California Department of Education
Secondary, Postsecondary,
and Adult Leadership Division
High School Initiatives/Career Education Office
1430 N Street, Suite 4503
Sacramento, CA 95814
