Entrepreneurship Everywhere
Sample Entrepreneurship Education
Programs in the United States
FLORIDA
Broward County School Board,
Institute of Business and Entrepreneurship
Donna Caplan, Curriculum/Program Facilitator
Institute of Business and Entrepreneurship Project
The School Board of Broward County, Florida
Vocational, Adult, and Community Education
600 SE Third Avenue, 11th Floor
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
754-321-2629
Fax: 754-321-2634
Email: donna.caplan@browardschools.com
Focus: Provide entrepreneurship education through an interdisciplinary business, social studies, and language arts curriculum.
Geographic Area: The IBE program is currently offered in three high schools in Broward County with an enrollment of approximately 100 students.
Products and Services: Products available include a comprehensive curriculum guide that includes activities, projects, and assessments designed for each individual course. Services provided to schools include identification of staff development opportunities and applicable instructional materials in addition to coordination of teacher training, student seminars, mentor/student orientations; mentor recruitment, and guest speaker recruitment.
Age Level: High school juniors and seniors.
Key Partners: Mentors/guest speakers from local businesses
Abstract: In 1995, the Institute of Business and Entrepreneurship (IBE) was developed as a collaborative effort between the school board of Broward County, Florida, and the Enterprise Ambassador USA of Nova Southeastern University. The IBE program is a two-year sequence of six courses designed to educate high school juniors and seniors about entrepreneurship and the opportunities and responsibilities of America's free enterprise system. The school board of Broward County, Florida, has been an associate member of the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education since 1996.
The IBE program was originally designed to infuse Enterprise Ambassador USA activities and projects into an existing business management curriculum. The business management curriculum was expanded to include not only business-student standards (e.g., keyboarding, computer applications, business management, business law, and entrepreneurship) but also social-studies student standards (e.g., American government and economics). In 1998-99, the program was further expanded to include language arts student standards.
The IBE program is an exemplary school-to-work program that links the classroom to the real world of business through a project-oriented curriculum. IBE activities and projects include:
- Business Mentors and Applied Business Studies-Students interact with their own personal business mentor through an applied business studies program.
- Seminars-Students have an opportunity to meet successful entrepreneurs in a small group setting by attending the Broward County Career and Technical Student Conference. In addition, DeVry University sponsored an Entrepreneurship Workshop for the IBE students.
- Special Projects-Juniors plan and implement a neighborhood-based community service project. Proceeds from the project are donated to local charities selected by the students.
By serving as mentors to elementary schools in their school's innovation zone, seniors teach elementary school students about free enterprise and the importance of goal setting and personal management. Seniors may also participate in a project that develops a supportive relationship with disadvantaged children in their own neighborhood.
Individual and School-Based Businesses-During the junior year, students develop a basic business plan. The senior curriculum focuses on the development of a comprehensive business plan. IBE students have an opportunity to put their business plans into action by planning and starting their own individual business or by participating in a school-based business. Examples of school-based businesses the students have planned, organized, and operated include a café for community school students, school stores, and a breakfast-delivery service for teachers.
Postsecondary Articulation and Scholarship Opportunities-Students who graduate from the IBE program may receive articulated college credit at Broward Community College. Students receive from three to six credits, depending on their postsecondary major. IBE students who meet all eligibility criteria qualify for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award and may qualify for other scholarships as well.
Special Recognition-Students earn community service hours by participating in special projects; receive recognition through participation in Business Professionals of America competitive events. Seniors are also recognized with the presentation of a special certificate of completion and a medallion.
Buchholz High School,
Academy of Entrepreneurship
Donna Martin, Director
Academy of Entrepreneurship
F. W. Buchholz High School
5510 NW 27th Street
Gainesville, FL 32606
352-955-6702, Ext. 305
Fax: 352-955-7285
Email: martindw@gm.sbac.edu
Website: www.spiritspotbhs.com
Focus: Senior high school
Abstract: The Academy of Entrepreneurship is an innovative four-year program at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. The Academy has been nationally recognized as a model for entrepreneurship education at the high school level by the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education. In recognition of their outstanding program, teachers Dianne Lauramoore and Donna Martin received the coveted Leavey Award for Excellence in Free Enterprise Education from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 2004. They were also chosen by the Florida Department of Education in 2006 to help establish five new entrepreneurship programs throughout the State by mentoring teachers and providing materials, workshops, and advice. In 2008 Mrs. Martin was awarded the Governor's Award by the Florida Council on Economic Education for the outstanding performance of her students in the successful operation of their school store, The Spirit Spot.
The Academy started in 1993 by Founding Director Dianne Lauramoore as an outgrowth of the business management and law course. Seeking to encourage specialization among students who envisioned themselves as entrepreneurs, she worked with school administrators and local entrepreneurs to develop a program which provides practical, experiential learning opportunities in a fun and rewarding way. In 1995 the Academy was designated a magnet program, allowing students from throughout the district to enroll. Today the Academy serves approximately 230 students per year and provides a wide variety of opportunities and experiences.
The Academy consists of four year-long courses for students in grades 9-12: Principles of Entrepreneurship, Business Management & Law, Business Ownership, and Retail Essentials. Additional optional courses are Marketing Internships and Marketing Directed Study. Curriculum follows the National Content Standards developed by the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, and teachers rely heavily on project-based instruction. An integral part of the program is DECA, and Academy students have developed a reputation for excellence in their projects and presentations. The Retail Essentials students operate The Spirit Spot, which is a 1,200 sq. ft. school store; beginning in 2005 they have earned DECA's Gold-Level Certification each year for this school-based enterprise. Students are responsible for all aspects of operating this business, which provides the opportunity to apply their learning.
Enrichment is provided through partnerships and collaborative efforts with a variety of community organizations. Working with Junior Achievement volunteers, students interact with local business leaders through seminars and mentoring in the classroom using the "Success Skills" and "JA Company" programs and then have opportunities to apply their knowledge by teaching similar classes at local elementary and middle schools. Academy students compete in the University of Florida's J. Leonhardt Business Plan competition and consistently impress the judges with their successful presentations demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of how to start a new business venture.
Under a tech-prep agreement with Santa Fe College and the School Board of Alachua County, students have the opportunity to earn up to twelve college credits by maintaining the required grade-point average and successfully completing the college exam. Additionally, upon completion of the third Academy course, students can qualify for the Gold Seal Scholarship which provides $2,000 per year at any postsecondary institution in Florida and which is renewable for four years.
This model program demonstrates how collaboration between educational institutions, community leaders, and business mentors can offer enterprising students the opportunity to capitalize on their passion and design their own futures while making learning fun and rewarding. Academy graduates leave with a much better knowledge of how to use their interests and natural abilities to develop their own business or to become managers in someone else's business. The teamwork, leadership, organization, and communication skills they acquire help them to become successful in a wide variety of entrepreneurial career choices. Through rigorous and relevant curriculum, dynamic projects, and hands-on learning experiences, students truly experience entrepreneurship in action.
High school students practice entrepreneurship as they operate their school store, grossing $45,000 last year from sales of tshirts, hoodies, books, and healthy snacks. Students are responsible for all aspects of The Spirit Spot including product design, purchasing, inventory, marketing, sales, customer service, and financial management. They rotate through the various jobs in the store and work in teams to develop new products or marketing strategies. For the last four years, The Spirit Spot has won DECA's national gold-level certification for school-based enterprises.
Homer K. Addair Career Academy
Rita Jarrett
Homer K. Addair Career Academy
925 North Buena Vista Blvd.
Lake Alfred, FL 33850
863-295-5988
Fax: 863-295-5959
Web site: www.seniorsuccess.com
Focus: Economically disadvantaged students who are not successful in the traditional school setting.
Geographic Area: Florida
Age Level: Adults
Abstract: WWW.seniorsuccess.com works to show students how to succeed
in the world of work by becoming competent communicators throughout the community.
Senior Success (dot) COM = COMpetency, COMmunity, COMmunication.
This project incorporates a combination of 70 students, parents and staff,
in addition to numerous business partners. The objectives are outlined in
four areas.
- Provide the opportunity for seniors to complete all academic requirements necessary for graduation.
- Provide the opportunity for seniors to master communication in all areas of life through various partnerships.
- Provide a year long, intensive, concentrated focus on every aspect of employability skills through various projects.
- Provide the opportunity for our seniors to become curious enough
to ask questions, in order to find answers, using many available resources,
with self-determination and constancy through various information.
Miami Dade College, North Campus
Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship Program
Cindy Thienard, Program Coordinator
Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center
6300 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL 33150
305- 237-1901
Fax: (305) 237-1908
Email: cthienar@mdc.edu
Web site: www.mdc.edu
Focus: High school students
Abstract: The Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship (IYE), an innovative business
skills development program, targets high school students who reside in
Liberty City and its surrounding communities. The program aims to build
community capacity by providing business skills training to inner city youth
who have had little or no exposure to entrepreneurship education. The IYE
places a premium on the comprehensive personal, social, cultural and moral
development of youth. While building the requisite personal efficacy,
self-confidence, and the knowledge and skills to be successful
entrepreneurs, youth will gain critical exposures and orientation to
important issues in the world of business.
The primary goal of the IYE is to expose and empower participating youth
with the life skills needed for entrepreneurship and leadership. It is
anticipated that a sizable percentage of the participants of this program
will continue with some form of business activity, individual businesses or
team business efforts after they complete the program. The program will also
encourage youth to continue their education to support a business career. In
addition, all graduates can be expected to benefit in other important and
quantifiable ways, including expanded knowledge, improved attitude, business
skills and leadership capacity. More importantly, they gain valuable work
readiness skills that lead up to becoming an effective corporate leader or
entrepreneur.
The program consists of three components:
- Phase I
Academy of Future Entrepreneurs
NFTE - Entrepreneurship Training
- Phase II
Spring Break Business Plan Camp
- Phase III
Summer Entrepreneurship Experience
As the program coordinator, I am responsible for planning all major
activities and events for the IYE Program. I also assist in managing all
grants issued to the program.
Northeast High School, Oakland Park—IBE Program Start-up
Diane Alford, Instructor
Vivian Steele, Instructor
Northeast High School
700 NE 56th St.
Oakland Park, FL 33334
954-928-1536
Fax: 902-424-0260
Focus: High school, school-wide program
Abstract: Our program for IBE start-up is composed of three
pieces: "Planning and More
Planning," "Promotion and Publicity," and "Pitfalls."
A brief description of each follows. The first
and most important component is planning. Plan to invest a tremendous
amount of time
beforehand! We outlined and defined our program goals very early. Our
initial concern was to
personalize IBE for our school and our vision. As a result, we expanded
the IBE courses to
include an American history IBE course for program juniors. Next, we
identified sophomores who
might be likely IBE candidates and added a Pre-IBE designation to two
business computer classes
and a world history class for these students.
The second element for our start-up is "Promote and Publicize."
Experience taught us the value of
being highly visible. We developed our high profile not only within
our school setting, but also in
the community. Our Pre-IBE and IBE classes are hosting an annual career
fair involving more than
50 local businesses with our partner in education, the Fort Lauderdale
Chamber of Commerce.
"Pitfalls: Look out for these . . ." is the final piece.
Deadlines happen! We created a series of
prominent classroom displays including calendars, lists, and—most effective
of all—a chart for
tracking student performance. It's amazing what our students will do
to earn their horseshoes and
avoid bumblebees!
For further information, see Nova Southeastern University, Enterprise
Ambassador USA.
University of West Florida—Youth Offender Demonstration Project
Nancy Kelson, Project Coordinator
Youth Offender Demonstration Project
Building Success/ Office of Juvenile Studies
University of West Florida, FL
850-474-2072
Fax 850-474-2777
Email: advanced@uwf.edu
Focus: At-risk youth with delinquent or gang histories.
Geographic Area: The counties of Escambia and Santa Rosa, Florida, and
Service Delivery Area Region 1
Age Level: 14–24 years of age
Key Partners: The University of West Florida, College of Education,
and Office of Juvenile
Studies; funded by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Abstract: Building Success will serve the counties of Escambia
and Santa Rosa. Florida Service
Delivery Area Region 1, Escarosa Regional Workforce Development
Board, Inc.,
represents this area. Building Success is designed to complement an
established innovative national
demonstration model that provides aftercare services for juvenile offenders
who are returning to
the community from residential juvenile justice commitment. The Advanced
Aftercare program is
administered by the University of West Florida, College of Education,
and Office of Juvenile
Studies, and funded by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
This project targets juvenile offenders who are returning to high-risk
gang environments. Services
are specifically tailored to overcome employment barriers in economically
disadvantaged
communities. Youths will receive two phases of skill development transferable
to a wide range of
occupations in the building trades, including services maintenance and
related manufacturing.
The first phase of Building Success will provide youthful offenders
with a full range of
school-to-career planning, employability training, entrepreneurship
education training, and
pre-apprenticeship job coach assistance. Delivery of these services
is provided by the project
coordinator with the assistance of part-time job developers/coaches
who are advanced university
students engaged in integrating their duties with academic studies.
Both in-school and
out-of-school youthful offenders receive a form of pre-apprenticeship
training conducted in the
vocational shop located on the University of West Florida campus.
A total of 45 youths per year receive first-phase services. This is
structured into three time periods,
each four months in duration. Youths will be recruited in teams of 15
per time period. The majority
of team activities will take place at the vocational shop located on
the University of West Florida
campus. A vocational aftercare teacher/counselor will instruct youths
in the safe operation of
equipment and guide teams in various entrepreneurship construction activities.
The shop is open
three days per week, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Job developers/coaches assist youths with transportation needs and guide
youths on various
entrepreneurship education projects, as well as mentor them on non-shop
days. Youths are guided
in the planning, design, final assembly, and distribution of products.
Profits from the sale of these
products are shared in an equitable manner among the team members. Where
appropriate, funds
will be earmarked to comply with court-ordered restitution. Additional
first-phase services include
enhanced access to long-term education and training opportunities facilitated
through the local
school-to-work initiatives in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
Second-phase services are individualized and target job placement
and job coach assistance in
two forms, in-school and out-of-school.