THE TIME HAS COME: BUSINESS EDUCATION CONTENT STANDARDS FOR OHIO

Critical to the continued success of the business education courses and programs for Ohio is an underlying framework of content standards somewhat similar to the academic content standards about which you have heard. It is time now to provide for the development of Business Education Content Standards for Ohio. In fact, the process is already underway.

A joint venture between the leadership of the Business and Information Technology Division of Ohio ACTE, Ohio Business Technology Association, the Ohio Marketing Educators' Association, and with support from Bowling Green State University and the Ohio Department of Education leadership, the development of these content standards is becoming a reality, with most of the standards having already been written in draft form.

Over the course of the next few months, additional standards information will be shared via this website. It is critical for current practicing teachers to provide input when these standards are placed on the website for review . Through feedback and editing, the Ohio Business Education Content Standards will become not only critical for our continued success, but may also serve as a model for other states.

At the national level for business education, the National Business Education Association has been responsible for disseminating a set of broad national standards, drawing upon hundreds of business educators throughout the nation, at all levels of education, as well as experts in the field of business as review panel members. This will also be the case with Ohio's Business Education Content Standards. If you know of any teacher from the elementary, middle school, or post-secondary levels who could serve as review persons for our standards, please contact Dr. Berns at Bowling Green State University at rberns@bgnet.bgsu.edu. Review panels are being organized during the next couple months .

This is an exciting time to be a business educator! With the push for possible business education graduation requirements to be taught by business teachers, the development of standards for Ohio's business teachers and the continued demand for business, marketing, and information technology education, the BIT Division continues to work for you, the members, keeping you informed about cutting edge developments!

Should you have additional questions concerning the development of Ohio's Business Education Content Standards, please contact me. I'll be happy to answer your questions or direct you to someone who can!

Jane Briggs, President
Business and IT Division
Ohio ACTE

If you'd like more information on becoming involved in the BIT Division or at the Ohio ACTE level, please contact Jane Briggs at jbriggs@efcts.us

Members working at IT Standards Writing Workshop on July 27, 2005 at EastlandCC