BUSINESS EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION

In classrooms nationwide, business education play a prominent role in preparing students to become responsible citizens, capable of making the astute economic decisions that will benefit their personal and professional lives. Using the professional concepts and skills standards, students are introduced to the basics of personal finance, the decision-making techniques needed to be wise consumers, the economic principles of an increasingly international marketplace, and the processes by which businesses operate.

Academic Achievement:  Acquire verbal and non-verbal communications skills, financial mathematical competencies, professional technical astuteness, science and social skills required to meet high performance standards of various occupational fields.

Occupational Competence:  Attain the occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to meet the performance standards for all aspects of various occupational field.

Employment:  Obtain employment for economic self-sufficiency and career advancement.

Educational Attainment:  Complete a sequence of courses to acquire academic and occupational competencies; to attain a high school diploma or its equivalent.  To prepare to continue academically by obtaining an occupational certificate, an associates or bachelor’s degree.

Economic Competitiveness:  Become economically competitive in the workforce by having the ability to produce high-quality goods and services, learn new skills and technologies, and adapt effectively to changes in the workplace.

Access and Equity:  Obtain access and equity to higher education and future career opportunities.

As educators in the field of career and technical education, we believe that all graduates of Rich Township High Schools should develop a positive attitude of continuous learning, to become socially consciousness and embrace a high ethical value system inherent in responsible citizenship and should be skilled in the following:

• higher ordered and  critical thinking skills, interpersonal communication, problem solving, technology awareness and resource management.
• using a collaborative approach to problem solving.
• managing time and material resources efficiently to be a contributing member of society.
• written and verbal communication skills that are  necessary for productive employment.
• use of technology in carrying out various vocational and personal endeavors.

ILLINOIS STATE GOALS:

At this time the State of Illinois has not developed Learning Standards for Business Education.  State Learning Standards for the Core Curriculum are embedded in the Business Education curriculum.

Course Number:                  J14

Course Title:                        Business Concepts

Grade:                                    9-12

This one-semester course that emphasizes global economics and personal money management.  Students will learn how their personal money choices affect the US market as well as global markets.  Students will also learn to make wise money management choices to allow them to invest their money in the future.  (This course satisfies the Consumer Economics graduation requirement.)

Course Number:                  J50

Course Title:                        Keyboarding I

Grade:                                    9-12

This one-semester course will provide the necessary keyboarding and formatting skills that students need for careers in business that require the use of keyboards for entering, manipulating, and outputting information. The focus of this course is for students to learn the alphabetic and numeric keys using the “Touch Method”.  Personal computers with user friendly software that are designed specifically for the beginning typist will be used to assist students to become proficient with the keyboard.  This course will allow students to be self sufficient in their academic and professional pursuit of excellence.  This course is articulated with Prairie State College and students may receive dual-credit if they fill out the application forms.

Course Number:                  J51

Course Title:                        Keyboarding II

Prerequisite:                        Credit earned in Keyboarding I or passing of a proficiency test

Grade:                                    9-12

This one-semester course will provide the additional necessary keyboarding and formatting skills to further develop skills that students need requiring the use of keyboards for entering, manipulating, and outputting information.  Personal computers will be used when teaching this course.  Emphasis is given to the improvement of speed and accuracy.  The course will also provide special attention to production keyboarding with “office-style” problems utilizing keyboarding and formatting skills for career and personal use. This course is articulated with Prairie State and students may receive dual-credit if they fill out the application forms.

Course Number:                  J52

Course Title:                        Desktop Publishing

Prerequisite:                        Credit earned in Keyboarding I or passing of a proficiency test

Grade:                                    10-12

Desktop Publishing is the process of creating computer-generated publications that appear to have been professionally printed.  In this one-semester course students will utilize a personal computer to combine text and graphics to produce a document. The student will control the entire process from beginning to printed document using their creative abilities to combine text and graphics.  Desktop Publishing teaches students how to produce documents such as newsletters, business reports, office publications, greeting cards, brochures, or publications of any sort.

Course Number:                  J54/55

Course Title:                        Desktop Publishing (Yearbook)

Prerequisite:                        Credit earned in Keyboarding I

Grade:                                    10-12

Yearbook production will provide the student the opportunity to contribute to his/her own yearbook while learning about book production fundamentals.  This one-year course is designed to enable the student to gain skill in layout design, interviewing techniques, copy-writing, cropping photographs, and content coverage of events.  The student will be involved in the decisions concerning theme, format, and design of the book.  The majority of the year will be spent on actual book production and meeting deadlines.  Students will learn the basic and advanced features of Aldus Pagemaker and will be responsible for creating actual pages on the computer.   Due to the heavy emphasis placed upon individual responsibility, students should be self-motivated.  The students will also be involved in the selling and distribution of yearbooks.  An opportunity to evaluate the book and make improvements will be provided at both the beginning and end of the course.

Course Number:                  J56/57

Course Title:                        Word Processing I/II

Prerequisite:                        Credit earned in Keyboarding I and II or passing of a proficiency test;

Grade:                                    11 – 12

This one-year course uses Microsoft Word, the most widely used program because it is the most powerful and sophisticated program on the market.  Word enables the user to do word processing on a personal computer.  Throughout the year the student will progress from basic to advanced word processing skills such as merging documents, using Clip Art, Microsoft Draw, WordArt, and formatting tables. This course is articulated with Prairie State College and students may receive dual-credit if they fill out the application forms.

Course Number:                  J58/59

Course Title:                        Word Processing I/II Honors

Prerequisite:                        Credit earned in Keyboarding I and II or passing of a proficiency test

Grade:                                    11 – 12

This one-year course will include the same activities described in Word Processing I/II (See course description for Word Processing I/II) with additional activities requiring decisions concerning customizing preferences, formatting documents with minimal instruction, utilization of the most effective and efficient command options to complete a task, and application of the necessary commands and formatting principles presented in the primary textbook.  The honors students will complete various individual projects featuring advanced word processing skills. This course is articulated with Prairie State College and students may receive dual-credit if they fill out the application forms.

Course Number:                  J70/71

Course Title:                        Accounting I/II

Grade:                                   11-12

This one-year course is of value to all students pursuing a background in accounting, marketing, management, or personal finance.  This course includes planned learning experiences that develop initial and basic skills used in systematically computing, classifying, recording, verifying, and maintaining numerical data involved in financial and product control records including the paying and receiving of money. Students will learn automated accounting procedures using computers. In addition to stressing basic fundamentals and terminology of accounting, instruction will provide initial understanding of financial reports, operation of accounting software, and career opportunities in the accounting and business industries. This course is articulated with Prairie State College and students may receive dual-credit if they fill out the application forms.

Course Number:                  J72/73

Course Title:                        Financial Accounting Honors I/II

Grade:                                    11-12

This one-year course builds upon the foundation established in Accounting I/II and is planned to assist students to develop further knowledge of the principles of accounting with emphasis being placed on computerized financial statements and accounting records.  It is a study of principles as they apply to complex business organizations such as partnerships and corporations.  Skills are developed in the entry, retrieval and statistical analysis of business data using computers for accounting business applications.  This course provides a preparation for college-bound students who will pursue a business curriculum and the necessary skills for entry into vocational or technical occupations. This course is articulated with Prairie State College and students may receive dual-credit if they fill out the application forms.

Course Number:                  J74

Course Title:                        Computer Applications I

Prerequisite:                        Keyboarding I

Grade:                                    9-12

In this one-semester course students will gain knowledge in the use of two computer applications: Microsoft Word and Excel.  This course will enable students to be proficient in the use of word processing and spreadsheet skills. Students will be able to apply these skills in their academic and professional lives.  This course is a series of software applications that will skill the student in information-gathering, organizing, and problem-solving tools that supports every discipline.  This course is articulated with Prairie State College and students may receive dual credit.  To receive dual credit, students are required to complete the application process for Prairie State College.  

Course Number:                  J75

Course Title:                        Computer Applications II

Prerequisite:                        Keyboarding I

Grade:                                    9-12

In this one-semester course students will gain knowledge in the use of two computer applications: Power Point and Microsoft Access.  This course will allow students to become capable presenters in a technically academic and professional environment.  Students will also be skillful in database management, which is useful in research and technical careers.  This course is a series of software applications that will skill the student in information-gathering, organizing, and problem-solving tools that supports every discipline.  This course is articulated with Prairie State College and students may receive dual credit.  To receive dual credit, students are required to complete the application process for Prairie State College.      

Course Number:                  J80

Course Title:                        Consumer Economics

Grade:                            10-12

This one-semester course is designed to provide experiences that enable students to develop the broad knowledge base necessary to understand the role of the consumer in today’s economy.  Students will develop the skills needed for making wise decisions as a consumer. Emphasis is given to the development of competencies related to consumer decision making, influences on consumer spending, consumer protection, legal aspects of consumer spending, financial planning and budgeting, use of credit, insurance, and taxes. (This course satisfies the Consumer Economics graduation requirement.)

Course Number:                  J84/85

Course Title:                        Entrepreneurship I/II

Prerequisite:                        Grade 11-12

Interested in being your own boss?  Do you have a great idea to start a business?  This one-year course is designed to prepare students to run their own business and to become an entrepreneur.  Students will learn the principles of business, how to write a business plan, how to market your business idea and what are the essential elements necessary to be a successful business owner.  This course is articulated with Prairie State College and students may receive dual-credit if they fill out the application forms.

Course Number:                  J87

Course Title:                        Business Law

Prerequisite:                        Grade 11-12

Business Law is a one-semester course designed to provide a broader perspective of legal aspects of a free market economy as it applies to business situations that may occur in a student’s daily life. Topics include types of law such as: civil and criminal, contract, property, employment, business organization and credit. Students interested in careers related to business and law can benefit by taking this course.

Course Number: J90/91
Course Title: Marketing
Grade: 11-12
The course will provide students an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the field of marketing while refining skills that are needed for maximum success in future employment. Classroom instruction will include topics relating to: marketing and economic foundations, business communications, marketing math, salesmanship concepts, advertising, visual merchandising, trends in marketing careers, and employability skills. Career opportunities in marketing are also explored.

Course Number:                  J98/99

Course Title:                        Independent Study:  Business Occupations

Prerequisite:                        Administrative approval

Grade:                                    11-12

Before final registration the student must obtain the approval of an instructor in the business education department under whom he/she will study. The instructor will base this approval both on an evaluation of the student’s ability and the program of study proposed by the student.  The approved program must be submitted to the designated administrator for final approval.  Independent Study is done on a Pass/Fail basis.

Course Number:                  HZ510/511

Course Title:                        Keyboarding I

Prerequisite:                        Team recommendation*

This course will provide the necessary keyboarding and formatting skills that students need for careers in business requiring use of keyboards for entering, manipulating, and outputting information. The focus of this course is for students to learn the alphabetic and numeric keys using the Touch Method.

Course Number:                  HZ518/519

Course Title:                        Consumer Economics

Prerequisite:                        Team recommendation*

Grade:                                    11-12

This course is designed to provide experiences that enable students to develop the broad knowledge base necessary to understand the role of the consumer in today’s economy. Students will develop the skills needed for making wise decisions as a consumer. Emphasis is given to the development of competencies related to consumer decision making, influences on consumer spending, legal aspects of consumer spending, financial planning and budgeting, use of credit, insurance, and taxes. (graduation requirement).

Course Number:                  HZ522/523

Course Title:                        Job Skills

Prerequisite:                        Team recommendation*

Job Skills is a direct instruction course designed to familiarize students with employment as it relates to adult life. Through a variety of instructional materials and hands on activities, students will demonstrate mastery of skills in the areas of career exploration, job search, job application, interviewing, and maintaining employment. Students will become familiar with and apply skills related to adult living.

Course Number:                  HZ524/525 and HZ526/527

Course Title:                        Work Experience I and Work Experience II

Prerequisite:                        Team recommendation*

These courses offer the student the opportunity to learn real-world employment skills and practice them on the job. Worksites vary according to individual needs and may be executed within the school environment, outside of school under the supervision of a job coach, or in the community under the direct supervision of an employer. The course emphasis includes mastery of specific job tasks in addition to social skills necessary for job success.