 JA Company Program encompasses business,
entrepreneurship, and economics curriculum for students in
grades nine through twelve. The program emphasizes business
content, while providing a strong focus on social studies,
mathematics, reading, and writing skills. The JA Company
Program experience enhances students’ classroom
curriculum. Students are encouraged to use innovative
thinking to learn business skills that support positive
attitudes as they explore and enhance their career
aspirations.
Through a variety of hands-on
activities and technological supplements designed to support
different learning styles, students develop a better
understanding of the relationship between what they learn at
school and their successful participation in a worldwide
economy. Twelve volunteer-led activities are required.
The key learning objectives listed
beside each activity state the skills and knowledge students
will gain.
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Meeting One:
Students work together to establish an effective and
efficient team environment, while outlining specific
leadership roles for the future company. Students create
values and standards for the company and explore its
vision, mission, and goals. |
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- determine how fundamental leadership principles
create an effective company environment.
- identify the company’s departmental structure and
associated leadership roles.
- discuss the company’s values.
- consider a company name.
- discuss the company’s Capitalization Plan.
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Meeting Two:
Working as a company, students conduct officer
elections and learn about each department’s specific
responsibilities during the company’s Operation and
Liquidation Phases.
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Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- classify the components of a Business Opportunity.
- identify department responsibilities.
- approve the company Charter Application and
Bylaws.
- initiate a company Capitalization Plan.
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Meeting Three:
The company enters the Context Phase of the program.
During this phase, students use tools, such as market
surveys and cost-benefit analysis, to determine
potential products for their target market.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- conduct market research to isolate a target
market.
- develop a market survey.
- analyze product options.
- generate questions regarding each department’s
Business Plan.
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Meeting Four:
The company enters the Deal Phase of the program.
During this phase, students select the top two or three
product options for cost-benefit analysis.
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Key Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- complete the Product Evaluation Form.
- create sales goals for the company and
individuals.
- finalize and submit department Business Plans.
- elect a company name.
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Meeting Five:
The company enters the Business Opportunity Phase of
the program. Students host a board meeting to approve
the company’s Business Plan, review implementation
strategies, and accept the company Charter.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- initiate the organization and/or production of the
product.
- maintain accurate, organized department records of
all transactions.
|
|
Meeting Six:
Materials needed for product production are ordered,
and the company Business Plan is implemented. Students
may take part in an extended learning opportunity.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- initiate purchasing materials for production.
- prepare records needed for company operations.
- identify the Sales Order Form and the product
sales process.
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Meeting Seven:
Students continue to operate the company.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- refine and implement all aspects of the company
Business Plan.
- prepare to sell the product to the defined target
market.
- initiate production.
- maintain accurate, organized records of all
transactions.
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Meeting Eight:
Students continue to produce and sell their product.
They learn about specific sales techniques that will
assist them in reaching their sales goals.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- identify effective sales techniques and
strategies.
- recognize ineffective production strategies and
adjust accordingly.
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|
Meeting Nine:
Students hold department meetings to share best
practices and propose changes to current company
operations.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- continue sales and production of product.
- refine departmental strategies.
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Meeting Ten: Students begin finalizing
production, assess excess inventory, and prepare for the
Board of Directors liquidation meeting.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- identify and evaluate production and inventory
needs for the final product sales.
- begin to prepare all liquidation forms and records
needed for the Annual Report.
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|
Meeting Eleven:
Students explore Next Steps and learn how to apply
what they have learned as a company to personal
entrepreneurial pursuits.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- explore the JA Student Center and JA Career
Assessment tools.
- create a Personal Action Plan.
- complete all Liquidation Reports.
- compile the Annual Report.
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Meeting Twelve:
Students conduct the final Board of Directors
liquidation meeting and approve the Annual Report.
|
Key Learning Objectives Students will be able
to:
- distribute stockholder dividends.
- celebrate their company’s success.
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JA Company Program enhances
students’ learning of the following concepts and skills:
Concepts–Business, Choices,
Competition, Division of labor, Entrepreneur, Expenses,
Fixed costs, Goods, Incentive, Income, Liquidation,
Management, Marketing, Parliamentary procedure, Price,
Productivity, Profit, Production, Research and Development,
Services, Stock, Variable costs
Skills–Assembling products,
Analyzing and interpreting information, Brainstorming,
Consensus building, Critical reading, Gathering and
organizing information, Group and self-assessment,
Interpreting production inventory, Oral and written
communication, Making observations, Product analysis, Public
speaking, Research, Synthesizing and evaluating information,
Selling, Working in groups
JA Company Program was
strategically developed to align with academic content
areas. The program’s focus on mathematics, reading, and
writing standards ensures relevance in all classrooms
affected by high-stakes testing.
JA Company Program is a series
of 12 meetings and is recommended for after-school high
school students. The average time for each meeting is 90 to
120 minutes. Extended learning opportunities were developed
to enhance and expand core activities. JA Company Program
provides interactive, take-home materials for students,
including access to an online career assessment at
www.ja.org. Materials are packaged in a self-contained kit
that includes detailed activity plans for the volunteer and
enough materials for 24 students.
All JA programs are designed to support
the skills and competencies identified by the Partnership
for 21st Century Skills. These programs also
augment school-based, work-based, and connecting activities
for communities with school-to-work initiatives.
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