STATES VALUE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ED
The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education (CEE) surveyed state directors of
career and technical education to determine the current state of entrepreneurship education through
vocational education in the U.S.A. For the past 20 years the Consortium has advocated the
development of entrepreneurship learning experiences in all types of vocational programs and for
high school, community college and adult students. In the early 1980's the U.S. Department of
Education lead in supporting entreprenuership education, the Consortium has sustained this goal
with the commitment and support of member states.
Our philosophy is that all students need to understand that becoming an entrepreneur is a career
choice. The experiences and technology that vocational education provides presents a special
advantage for those vocational students who chose to start a business. Our focus has been the
establishment of entrepreneurship programs plus the infusion of entrepreneurship in other
programs to maximize the exposure students will have to entrepreneurial concepts.
A total of 37 states and territories responded to the questionnaire about their involvement in
entrepreneurship education. In one way or another 28 of the 37 states/territories report that
entrepreneurship is part of their state vocational activities.
The most significant findings of this survey are as follows:
- 17 of 37 states (46%) said that entrepreneurship was part of their state plan for vocational
education and others said that, although not specified, entrepreneurship is appropriate to be
taught.
- The largest number of states (26) said that entrepreneurship was going to be even more
important as part of the school-to-work program in their state.
- Many states (20) said that they include entrepreneurship in their tech prep programs that
provide for articulation between secondary and post-secondary programs.
- Needs in the states for more information, curriculum, and teacher training opportunities.
- Marketing and Business Education were the two most frequently mentioned as the programs
that had infused entrepreneurship.
- Trades and Industries (T & I) was not included in the programs that have infused
entrepreneurship in vocational education.
In Ohio where there has been an entrepreneurship class option for a number of years, The School-To-Work Act provides funding to states and local schools to develop innovative
community-based programs to assist students in transition from their educational experiences to
employment. In our survey, those states that see entrepreneurship as
an important part of their school-to-work program most often mentioned school-based enterprises
as their major concept. Many are still in the process of developing their plans. Those states that
have mentioned entrepreneurship in their state plans assume it will automatically be part of STW
programs.
This survey provides preliminary evidence on a national basis of the interest vocational educators
have in entrepreneurship education for their students as a career option. They are particularly
positive about using entrepreneurship in the school-to-work programs which are the most recent
legislation impacting on vocational programs in all states. States that are members of the
consortium or have been a member at one time seem more involved in entrepreneurship than
those that have not joined. As a result we continue to feel that the Consortium has had an impact
on these perceptions and can provide valuable services to member states.
Source: The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education
Columbus, OH
Email us at Cashmore@entre-ed.org
