What is Junior Achievement?
Junior Achievement (JA) is the world's largest and fastest growing economic education
organization dedicated to educating and inspiring young people to value free enterprise,
business and economics to improve the quality of their lives. Junior Achievement uses
hands-on experiences to help students understand the economics of life. In partnership
with business and educators, Junior Achievement brings the real world to students,
opening their minds to their potential.
Why are Junior Achievement and Montgomery County Public Schools entering into a partnership?
In conjunction with Montgomery
County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery
County Business Roundtable for Education (MCBRE), JA is currently providing its
programs to all students in grades 3, 7, and high school within selected MCPS
clusters to ensure a systemic model for successful business partnerships that
benefits all students. This was piloted during the 2004-2005 school year and
has since expanded to eleven total clusters in 2007-2008, with more schools
joining each year.
What are the Junior Achievement programs that will be used?
Junior Achievement uses age-appropriate content designed to help prepare students
for their roles as individuals, workers, and consumers in an expanding cultural
environment that extends from the self and family to global relations. Each grade
level has its own 'theme' and hands-on materials that encourage students to use
the information to apply basic skills, think critically and solve complex problems.
Who implements the JA programs?
JA recruits, trains and assigns committed adult volunteers
from local businesses and the community, including parents. Volunteers will be
recruited both by the JA staff and MCBRE. JA will be collaborating with MCPS to
ensure that JA content is integrated directly into the MCPS curriculum.
What are the benefits for students in Montgomery County Public Schools?
Anytime students learn with and from experts in their own community, a positive experience
is shared by all stakeholders - especially when ongoing assistance is provided by MCPS, JA,
and MCBRE. Specifically, students in MCPS will benefit directly from the JA and MCPS
partnership by:
- Experiencing hands-on, classroom interactions involving economics and business
with an "expert" business partner from their own community.
- Participating in authentic learning activities that are naturally integrated
into their instruction.
- Exploring career possibilities related to JA topics such as economics and
entrepreneurship.
- Having the opportunity to ask questions of and be mentored by a business partner
who is knowledgeable about topics and careers that may be different than the
students' own family and friends.
What are the benefits for teachers in Montgomery County Public Schools?
Teachers in MCPS will benefit directly from the JA and MCPS partnership by:
- Having the opportunity to truly partner with a role model from the community
who is volunteering in the classroom to help provide current and accurate
information about JA topics such as economics and entrepreneurship.
- Learning with and from the business partner and establishing a contact
for future classroom experiences.
- Collaborating with the business partner to ensure that the students are
participating in meaningful, interactive, and concrete activities that are
directly integrated into the MCPS curriculum.
- Working with JA staff to ensure that the program is valuable and successful
for all involved.
What are the benefits for businesses within the community?
Organizations will benefit directly from participating in the JA and MCPS partnership by:
- Helping prepare our future work force.
- Showcasing your place of work and increasing your visibility in the community.
- Informing students about careers in your industry or line of work.
- Strengthening and promoting involvement in education.
- Allowing employees to serve as role models in the community.
- Positively impacting the life of a child in a fun, MCPS-approved activity.
For more information, contact:
|
