1950 - 1959

JA’s goal for this decade is greater expansion and program improvement. Implementation of local autonomy frees national staff to funnel more resources toward research and development. Enrollment grows five-fold and JA reaches 66,245 students in more than 3,000 JA companies in 139 cities in most of the 50 states.

JA organizes and develops The Correspondence Plan designed to bring JA into smaller communities.

National Association of Junior Achievement Companies (NAJAC) competitions are held for outstanding achiever in sales, production, management, accounting, public speaker, and Miss JA.


1955 - JA initiates the first successful non-U.S. locations in Windsor, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. JA national board proposes that all JA Areas conduct their fund drives to coincide with a national media effort. In January 1955, President Eisenhower proclaims National JA Week which focuses the nation’s attention on the impact JA is having on the business education of youth. 

February 1, 1956 - A national JA conference is held in Washington, D.C., to bring together JA business leadership from the national and local levels. This event helps fuel further interest in JA.

In an effort to improve field relations, Joe Francomano assumes the responsibility of coordinating the work of five regional representatives who play an important part in the growth of the late 50s.

Read the book Junior Achievement: A History by Joe Francomano and Wayne & Darryl Lavitt to learn more about the history of Junior Achievement.