THE VALUE OF BUSINESS EDUCATION: PERCEPTIONS OF HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, PRINCIPALS, AND BOARDS OF EDUCATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of business education at the secondary school level as perceived by three groups of people who have great impact on course offerings, student advisement, and teacher hiring decisions. Specifically, high school counselors, high school principals, and local board of education presidents in a Midwestern state were surveyed concerning the value of business education at the secondary school level. Survey results showed that all three groups believed high school business education courses are valuable with keyboarding, computer applications, and word processing being the most important. Principals and board of education presidents believed a general business course should be a required course rather than an elective. Of the workplace competencies taught in business courses, overall results showed the most important, according to respondents, were decision making/critical thinking and human relations. The least important workplace skill was small business management/ entrepreneurship. Overall, high school principals valued business competencies and courses more than guidance counselors and board of education presidents, with guidance counselors being least supportive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Delta Pi Epsilon Journal is the property of Delta Pi Epsilon National Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)