Theres no question that entrepreneurship education is hot, according to an article in Bloomberg Businessweek and based on research from the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. The offerings in two and four year colleges have increased dramatically in the last 20 years and high schools are following suit.
Wooster High School is no exception to this trend and currently has an entrepreneur program consisting of four main areas, explained Derek Bode, STEM/Technology Educator and advisor for the highs schools Eclub. Summer Youth Academy, business-related courses, eClub, and an entrepreneurial competition make up the four parts.
Even before first-years start their fall semester, they have the opportunity to participate in a day camp: The Youth Entrepreneurship Summer Academy is designed to instill 21st century skills in entrepreneur-minded students. Tyler Keener, associate principal, said We typically have 17-20 students (incoming 9th graders) participate in the weeklong summer academy.
Richard Leone, Director of Secondary Education, said, We are fortunate at Wooster to have a robust curriculum to prepare students for a career in business. We currently have five entrepreneur and financial literacy courses.
According to Keener, The state has now required for schools to teach Personal Financial Literacy to all students that are graduating 2014 and later. Most schools have incorporated this change by integrating units into government classes. However, the (WCS) board of education has recognized the importance of Financial Literacy and has made it a separate semester course required for graduation for Wooster. Leone noted that the stand-alone courses ensure rigor and relevance.
Students learn success-oriented attitudes, self-regulation, intelligent risk-taking, critical thinking and life-long learning skills. They are taught to understand financing, marketing, accounting principals, and government regulations, and entrepreneurial projects are required in at least one class.
Leaders, innovators and creators can be found in the Eclub at the high school. This accounts for the third part of the high schools entrepreneurial program. Club members are not just potential future entrepreneurs, they are currently running businesses right out of the school.
Lee Kelvin originally came to the club because his friend encouraged him to attend, but he decided he likes going and learning new things. I had no idea how to place an order before, and now I know how to do a lot of stuff.
Part four of the entrepreneur program is a new ideas competition, known as E Time to Shine, which is sponsored by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation and the high school. Students or teams propose ideas and solutions to problems or create opportunities. The competition is coordinated by Richard Lee, business and economics course instructor.
The high school is fortunate to be able to attract a new breed of teachers like Bode and Lee to guide todays students to a successful future. Leone noted, When we hire faculty today, we are looking for staff that can engage students at a very high level and can begin to assist students with developing skills that they will need to be prepared for a post secondary institution or a career upon graduation.
