Rethink the Business Curriculum: Build Rigorous Business Administration Programs of Study © 2010 by MBA Research James R. Gleason, Ph.D. President/CEO, MBA Research 2010 NCLA, Maumee, Ohio

Repositioning Business/Marketing: Build Rigorous Business Administration Programs of Study Environmental scan Positioning and repositioning Business Administration MBA ExecNet High School of Business™ program model MBA High School™ Online learning centers © 2010 by MBA Research James R. Gleason, Ph.D. President/CEO, MBA Research 2010 Career Cluster Institute

MBA Research Not-for-profit Consortium of 38 states Curriculum research center Assessment center Professional development center Advocate of business/marketing ed © 2010 by MBA Research

38-state Consortium

Environment Mixed focus, inconsistent labeling © 2010 by MBA Research

Business Education Economics Education Marketing Education Business Technologies Business and Marketing Ed Entrepreneurship Education Finance Education BPA, DECA, FBLA vs. business © 2010 by MBA Research

Programs of Study Entrepreneurship Finance Hospitality/Tourism Information Technology Management/Administration Marketing Personal Finance © 2010 by MBA Research

Environment Perception issues Mixed focus, inconsistent labeling © 2010 by MBA Research

Perceptions (Qualitative, anecdotal data) EZ Non-college Focus on clerical Fun tech (real tech to tech ed) Consumer-oriented business One size (lowest common denominator) CTSO-based Dated curriculum Expensive © 2010 by MBA Research

Environment Employment opportunities Perception issues Mixed focus, inconsistent labeling © 2010 by MBA Research

Employment Opportunities Reduced demand for clerical (only) support Increased demand for finance/accounting Increased demand for marketing Increased demand for management Increased for project management! Increased need for technical literacy! Varied needs for “true” IT College required! © 2010 by MBA Research

Environment Current trends in schools Employment opportunities Perception issues Mixed focus, inconsistent labeling © 2010 by MBA Research

Trends in High Schools Down-grading/Eliminating keyboarding School stores upgraded/eliminated Down-grading computer applications Increased demand for personal finance Increased project-based pedagogy Increased emphasis on standards Increased emphasis on certification Demand for academic integration Co-op work experience dropped Enrollment issues Program elimination Cross-certification scheduling © 2010 by MBA Research

Environmental Summary: Business adm is #1 in employment opps Business adm represents 39% of jobs Business adm is #1 declared major… Entrepreneurship is top-of-mind nationwide Business adm is not taught in most HS “Business” is small part of business ed “Marketing” is small part of marketing ed Personal finance is not business Tech is not business © 2010 by MBA Research

Positioning © 2010 by MBA Research

Positioning: The growth and stability of business education will depend on how others perceive the program. Administrators Counselors Parents Student peers Business Gate keepers © 2010 by MBA Research

Concept of Brand Brand promise © 2010 by MBA Research

Concept of Brand Brand promise (TRUE!) Consumer oriented Perception of value Consistency (product/service) Differentiated Recognizable Marketing for equity Long-term Protected equity Example: MBA High School of Business ™ © 2010 by MBA Research

Business Administration Standards Extensive global secondary research National industry validation Continuing updates Executive advisory network …free! © 2010 by MBA Research

Jobs Finance Jobs Marketing Jobs Hospitality Jobs Jobs Administration Jobs Finance Jobs Marketing Jobs Jobs Marketing Management & Administration Finance Hospitality

Jobs Finance Jobs Marketing Jobs Hospitality Jobs Jobs Administration Jobs Finance Jobs Marketing Jobs Jobs Marketing Management & Administration Finance Hospitality Entrepreneurship

Marketing Management & Administration Finance Hospitality Business Core Entrepreneurship

Industry-validated Standards © 2010 by MBAResearch

MBA ExecNET Nationwide Continuing input; homogeneous groups Surveys, discussion boards, etc 20-minute commitment (monthly) Role: advise, advocate, participate (local)

© 2010 by MBA Research

© 2009 by MBA Research Programs of Study

© 2010 by MBA Research End of Program Exams (Programs-of-Study)

© 2010 by MBA Research Course Profiles

Course Guides

In-depth LAP Modules

Professional Development Teachers Local curriculum leaders Counselors © 2010 by MBA Research

Online Learning Center

Standards-based curriculum development

Regional Drive-in Workshops Austin, TX DC Eugene, OR Las Vegas, NV New Orleans, LA Orlando, FL Providence, RI Other sites pending. © 2010 by MBA Research

MBA High School™ Adopt baseline core standards Involve business community Establish minimum “program” criteria Associated evaluation rubrics Document student success Extend professional development Develop accreditation processes Market as nationwide brand © 2010 by MBA Research

MBA High School Honors Program © 2010 by MBA Research

33 schools (diverse!) 9 states 7 new sites for fall 8 courses

Lessons Learned Program structure: career opportunities or college majors (v. delivery systems) Business Administration is? CTE Standards independent of delivery Industry-validated standards Integration of academics for reinforcement Differentiated curricula © 2010 by MBA Research

Lessons learned (continued) Nature of Curricula: Rigorous (v. “hard”) Relevant (career or college) Accounting v. Finance History… General to specialized Low to high (build on prior k) Support depth and mastery P of S philosophy © 2010 by MBA Research

Lessons learned (continued) Strong pedagogy High-engagement Strong accountability (mastery) Use of technology (tech on every desk) Use of student research (brief v. lecture) B-community participation Project/Inquiry-based? © 2010 by MBA Research

Lessons learned (continued) Project-based pedagogy (blended) Standards-based (begin with end) Designed around specific PI clusters Continuing (varied-scope sub-projects) Project planning incorporated (e.g., FlowCal) Research skills incorporated Balanced with testing/mastery Balanced with directed Teacher-facilitator © 2010 by MBA Research

Lessons learned (continued) Student research skills Multiple sources (documented) Data synthesis Emulate real world Short reports w/ documentation Focus groups, etc. Tied to real need (service) © 2010 by MBA Research

Lessons learned (continued) Rigorous professional development Continuing Pedagogy and content Facilitation skills Curriculum planning Project planning Cohort group Outcomes-oriented © 2010 by MBA Research

Lessons learned (continued) DATA required Documentation of need Enrollment data Student performance by course End-of-program proof-of-learning Certification by exam Follow-up data © 2010 by MBA Research

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