BILT Program
(Business
Innovations, Leadership & Technology)
Purpose Statement: The purpose of education should be to help people create lives they truly want to create. This is accomplished by providing them with the knowledge and skills that allow them to excel and succeed in a variety of situations. Learning to lead instead of follow, learning to produce instead of consume, learning to solve problems instead of create them, are educated skills. All students should be instructed in areas that will allow them to accomplish the purpose of education.
Philosophical Position: We believe that business, leadership and technology are all areas of learning that a student needs to achieve a high level of success in society. We believe that foundational knowledge and practical skills in these areas will provide students with opportunities and perspectives to achieve their goals in life.
Supporting Documentation: The citizen of the 21st Century will need skills in many areas. With global competition in a world economy the need to succeed can be satisfied by attaining a level of competency in critical areas of society, which are business and leadership.
The future of American enterprise is being shaped by young people of today who are filled with dreams, have a passion for change, hope for the future and a desire to succeed. Pursuing business knowledge at an early age is an important ingredient for future success. (United States Small Business Association, SBA)
Today's organizations need to be innovative, fast and adaptable. They need powerful strategies that balance short-term results with long-term success. All this takes place in an environment of tough competition. The need for effective, connected, system-wide leadership in organizations has never been greater. Organizations can begin to expand their leadership capacity by developing versatility and connectivity. (Center for Creative Leadership, CCL)
Critical Elements: This program will focus on three main areas, Business, Leadership and Technology. These topics will emphasize four objectives:
Program Objectives: The program objectives in Technology will be to provide students with hardware and software skills through a variety of certifications. These skills will be applied to all other areas of study and project development.
The objectives in the Leadership component of the curriculum will be to instruct students in the fundamental qualities and characteristics of good leadership and encourage them to culture those traits within themselves.
Business objectives will be to educate students in all aspects of business, including planning, organization, research, marketing, growth, finances, taxes, and legal questions. These objectives will follow the guidelines of the Small Business Association and be supported and enhanced by associated business partners.
Observable Standards: The BILT curriculum will allow all students to master the skills needed to be successful in future career choices. Students finishing this program will be able to demonstrate the following:
Certification in business, leadership and technology
skills
Demonstrate the understanding and application of specific software programs
Use technology appropriately to solve problems
Create and present a business plan
Participate in a leadership service project
Compare and contrast different business leadership models
Identify great leaders of the past and present
Application of hardware and software programs in all
areas of study
Demonstrate knowledge of computer hardware components
Write e-mails, fax copies, surf the Internet and use Instant Messenger competently
Apply appropriate software programs to selected areas of study
Instruct others in the use and application of learned software programs
The development and presentation of selected projects
Conceptualize, plan and implement an individual project
Work cooperatively in groups to develop project themes and designs
"Brain-storm" effectively with others over project topics
Display aesthetic and informative projects to the general public
Present and defend project ideas to selected project board for acceptance
Increased awareness of the relationship between character
traits and success
Discuss the importance of positive character traits
List character traits that most successful leaders exhibit
Examine own strengths and weaknesses in character
Develop and evaluate a survey assessing character traits
Model positive character traits in daily interactions
Facility Needs: The facility should accommodate students and teachers as well as provide space for the development of projects. A site close to a partnered business would be ideal.
Equipment/Communication needs: Equipment will include computers with Internet access, software programs, printers, fax, telephones, copy machine, TV monitor, DVD player and office supplies, as well as books and classroom equipment.
Material/Transportation needs: The county school busing system or alternative carrier will provide transportation for students to and from the POD site. Field trips will be scheduled with available carriers.
Area of needs to be assessed during design: The needs during design will include the acquisition of an adequate facility and the scheduling of guest speakers and presenters. A cooperative plan will also need to be worked out with the associated business partner.
Time-Line for implementation: The program will begin at the start of the 2006/2007 school year. Prior to this time portions of the program will be implemented and integrated in all other project areas as a part of their curriculum. It will be broken out as an independent curriculum in the second year to coincide with the increase in student population.
Budget: All PODs will be funded with business "seed" money every year to develop and maintain business ventures. In addition, money will be provided for books, supplies, technology equipment, office equipment, computers and teachers as outlined in the 5-year budget plan.
Evaluation/Validation checkpoints: The students will be evaluated and monitored on a continual basis throughout the program. Progress will be assessed in the areas of Technology, Business and Leadership through the following criteria:
Knowledge: Prior knowledge in the subject areas will be determined based on tests and surveys. An exit exam will be used to determine knowledge gained. Presentation in project areas will be judged. Essays, research papers, and short answer responses will show student's level of comprehension. Completed certification areas will illustrate student's working knowledge.
Skills: Competency in skill areas will be demonstrated by the achievement of certifications. Individual and group projects will be assessed, as well as involvement in community projects. Students will exhibit mastery in appropriate technology and in planning and organizational skills. Modeling appropriate behavior will be a consideration in the successful completion of the program.
Attitudes: Students will complete a survey geared to determine the perceived effectiveness of the program. Students will publish and display their work to the general public. Parents will also be asked to evaluate the program by completing a survey to assess the motivation and enthusiasm of their children for the program.
Task / Responsibility chart: The following people are necessary to develop, maintain, and operate this program:
Program Director and Coordinator - This person will be responsible for the support of the program and help provide the needed coordination with the district administration, the associated business sponsor and the parents of the students involved. Initially, this person should be a coordinator/teacher, but upon initiation of the program the participating teachers can assume these responsibilities.
Staff - The staff will be deeply involved in the planning of the program as well as the selection of the curriculum. They will need to be trained in all areas of the program, including business, leadership, and technology. Special knowledge in different software applications will be necessary. The staff will run the program, supervise the students, assess student performance and report to the school-based Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
Dissemination Plan: The program will begin at the start of the 2006 school year. The participating students will receive their schedules and proceed to their first day of the program. After initial instruction, they will continue with their instructors into the POD to begin their lessons. Instruction will end at the regular end of the school day and students will return home as all other students. The program instructional staff will perform according to a prearranged and approved curriculum and provide a safe, educational and enjoyable experience for the students.