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CTE Content Areas

Middle Level Business Education

Overview

Business education may be used at the middle school level to fulfill the 1 ¾ unit of career and technical education instruction required in Section 100.4(c)(xii) of Commissioner’s Regulations. Instruction may begin as early as Grade 5 as long as the teacher is properly certified to teach grades five and six.

Career and Technical Education Content at the Middle School

All students must have completed 1 ¾ units of career and technical education by the conclusion of Grade 8. Middle level CTE instruction, regardless of the CTE content area that it is taught through, covers the following theme modules:

  • Career and Community Opportunities What knowledge and skills are necessary to demonstrate introductory understanding of the influences that societal, economic, and technological changes have on employment and the impact that employability skills, interests, and aptitudes have on individuals’ career choices and postsecondary options?
  • Communication and Interpersonal Relationships What communication and interpersonal skills can enhance an individual's ability to develop caring, respectful, effective relationships within the home, school, community, and workplace?
  • Financial and Consumer Literacy What knowledge and skills are necessary to demonstrate an introductory understanding of how money can be managed and how individuals can create and achieve financial goals while managing financial challenges?
  • Health, Safety, and Wellness What knowledge and skills are needed for individuals to consistently promote and practice safe and healthy behaviors that encourage wellness in home, school, workplace, and community setting?
  • Problem Solving and Innovation What knowledge and skills are necessary to demonstrate introductory understanding of the application of problem-solving processes and the acquisition, evaluation, and application of the products of research for informed decision making?
  • Sustainability What knowledge and skills are necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of personal practices on the environment and to demonstrate introductory understanding of how to use and conserve resources to meet human needs while minimizing harm to the environment.

Business Education Content at the Middle School

In business education, four content modules specific to business have been developed to address the six middle-level CTE theme modules:

  • Business Communication What knowledge and skills are necessary to demonstrate an introductory understanding of the various modes, styles, and techniques of effective business communication?
  • Business Career Portfolio What knowledge and skills are necessary for individuals to create the elements and behaviors needed for success in the job seeking process?
  • Computer Literacy for the Workplace How can one use technology to communicate appropriately and effectively in the business world?
  • Entrepreneurship What building blocks must be in place for an entrepreneurial idea to become a viable business in the community?

At the teacher’s discretion, the content modules may be modified or added to in order to meet student needs. In addition, content should be aligned with other CTE content areas in order to provide exposure to as many areas of CTE as possible while avoiding duplication.

Using High School Business Courses to Meet the Middle Level Requirement

High school business education classes may be used for eighth grade students to substitute for the middle level CTE requirement, provided that the requirements for acceleration in 100.4(d) of commissioner’s regulations are followed.

For More Information

Please contact the associate for business and marketing education.