Junior Achievement Of Central Carolinas

Programs: Junior achievement's approach to developing high-quality economic education programs in fifty counties in north carolina and three counties in south carolina is based on a partnership with the education and business communities. Programs are designed to help young people acquire an understanding of the fundamental principles of economics and the free enterprise system, arrive at reasoned judgements about economic issues and develop the skills needed to fulfill responsibilities as producers, consumers and citizens of the american economy. Programs are run at the elementary, middle school and senior high levels for in-school classes. The junior achievement center is used for general program purposes. The organization has developed a program, biztown, which is held at the central facility. Ja biztown is both a hands on learning lab site and a curriculum approach in the classroom. The purpose is to help young people imagine, investigate and become citizens of their own city. Teachers conduct 40 hours of interdisciplinary business and economics lessons in conjunction with the ja 4th and 5th grade programs. After completing their classroom work, students spend a day at ja-biztown, where they take on the roles of business owners, designers, reporters, and governmental employees. Students learn entrepreneurship, business management and the principles of production and distribution:helping students identify their role in the workforce. Shaping students' attitudes toward responsibilities and opportunities. Increasing self-confidence and understanding of economic concepts. Developing leadership skills. Shaping attitudes and knowledge about the present and future.