School (Insert Here)

Coach Sorrells

(770) 651-6188 Room 10

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY SYLLABUS

Course Description:

Introduction to Business & Technology is the foundational course for the Financial Management -Accounting, Financial Management – Services, and Small Business Development pathways. The course is designed for high school students as a gateway to the career pathways above, and provides an overview of business and technology skills required for today's business environment. Knowledge of business principles, the impact of financial decisions, and technology proficiencies demanded by business combine to establish the elements of this course. Emphasis is placed on developing proficient fundamental computer skills required for all career pathways. Students will learn essentials for working in a business environment, managing a business, and owning a business. The intention of this course is to prepare students to be successful both personally and professionally in an information-based society. Students will not only understand the concepts, but apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions/decisions/choices through the knowledge and skills acquired in this course. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student organization, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), are integral components of both the employability skills standards and content standards for this course.

Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies impacting the business world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and career ready. Introduction to Business & Technology is a course that is appropriate for all high school students. After mastery of the standards in this course, students should be prepared to earn an industry recognized credential: Microsoft Office Specialist for Word Core Certification. The pre-requisite for this course is advisor approval.

Performance Standards/Objectives:

The Georgia Department of Education Performance Standards in the following areas are available online at www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/CTAE/Pages/Foundation-Courses.aspx

Common Core Georgia Performance Standards and Lexile Measurements:

This course will be incorporating The Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS). These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. For more information about CCGPS please visit http://corestandards.org.

The Common Core Standards provide text complexity grade bands and associated Lexile bands that are intended to put students on a college- and career-ready trajectory. These grade and Lexile bands are the basis for determining at what text complexity level students should be reading—and at which grades—to make sure they are ultimately prepared for the reading demands of college and careers. For more information about Lexile measurements please visit http://lexile.com.

Career Pathway Course Sequences

ü Business & Technology:

Intro to Business & Technology Business Communications Advanced Business & Tech.

ü Advanced Accounting:

Intro to Business & Technology Accounting I Accounting II

ü Business Accounting:

Intro to Business & Technology Financial Literacy Accounting I

ü Financial Services:

Intro to Business & Technology Financial Literacy Banking, Insurance, & Investing

Students completing all three courses in the pathway are encouraged to complete an End of Pathway Assessment to demonstrate mastery of the standards. Note: The sequence and/or classes are subject to change as the Dept. of Education is reviewing the pathways based on industry feedback right now.

Related Careers for Intro to Business & Technology

This course will help students build a strong knowledge base and develop the management skills needed to own or operate a business. Mastery of these concepts through project-based activities will help prepare students with a competitive edge for the global marketplace.

Academic Honesty:

Students are expected to achieve and maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and excellence. Not only does academic honesty preserve the integrity of both the student and the school, but it is also essential in gaining a true education. Students pledge that they will not lie, cheat, plagiarize, or steal in the pursuit of his or her studies and are encouraged to report those who do.

Anticipated Classroom Format:

Standards based classroom with direct instruction and project-based activities.

Class web site: www.edmodo.com

Resources:

Principles of Business- South-Western Publishing

Lost Book Policy:

The student will be charged full replacement cost for any textbook lost, regardless of condition. The amount to be charged for a textbook damaged by a student will be the responsibility of the principal. Board Policy Descriptive Code: IFAD

Units/Standards to be covered:

Ø Introduction to Technology

Ø Word Applications

Ø Effective Communications Skills

Ø Entrepreneurship & Business Ownership

Ø Marketing

Ø Leadership & Management

Ø Financial Management

Ø Money Management

Ø Risk Management

Ø Human Resources & Business Law

Student requirements:

Ø Take notes during lecture sessions

Ø Participate in group projects

Ø Complete individual assignments

Ø Maintain folders for notes/returned work

Ø Create a Warm-up journal

Ø Take Unit CDA’s

Ø Take a comprehensive final exam

Assignments:

Ø Students absent during the majority of a group project will be given an alternate assignment.

Ø All long-term assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the day they are due. In class assignments are due during the class period.

Ø If the student is absent on the due date of an assignment, the assignment is due on the day of their return. If the student is absent on the day of a test/quiz, the student will be expected to take the test/quiz on the day of their return. Failure to turn in assignments on time will result in a zero.

Make- Up Work:

For student work missed during an excused absence, the student will have as many days which were excused absences in order to make up the assignment(s). Most of all assignments are done during class.

Please keep in mind I will not pursue the student for missed and/or late assignments or class notes. It is the student’s responsibility to check the assignment calendar, check with a fellow classmate, or check with me to find out what was missed.

For assignments that cannot be completed at home, it will be the student’s responsibility to arrange a time before or after school to come make up the work.

Late Work Policy:

The following pertains to students with unexcused absences or who fail to do the work in the time given in class:

Ø Daily assignments are due on the day done in class; if late, no credit will be given.

Ø All other assignments go down one letter grade per day. No credit given after 3 days.

Supplies Required:
Ø A flash drive is highly recommended since we will be going paperless. A notebook is also recommended, but not required.

Grading Plan:

Grading will occur on a variety of assignments, including:

Tests, Projects & Presentations, CDA’s: 50%

Daily/Weekly Assignments 30%

Final Exam 20%

Grading Scale:

A = 90 – 100

B = 80 – 89

C = 71 – 79

D = 70

F = Below 70

Grades are available on Infinite Campus. Parents should contact the school for login information.

Strategies for Student Learning:

Active participation is expected in class work and projects. Direct instruction is primarily focused on facilitation for student progress.

Class Expectations

1. Computers are for class use only – no games, music, or videos.

2. School pass must be used to leave the classroom.

3. Students are tardy if they are not in their seats when the bell rings.

4. Clean the area around your computer before leaving.

No one has the right to:

ü Physically injure yourself or others, including threatening to injury others or yourself.

ü Discriminate against others

ü Damage or destroy materials, this includes books, desks, computers, printers, and all other property used in the classroom.

ü Steal from others

ü Impose on others so that they cannot hear, see or do their work because of your behavior

ü Interfere with your learning or the learning of others

Consequences for violating the classroom rules:

ü 1st offense: verbal warning

ü 2nd offense: Parent will be contacted. THIS IS A PHONE CALL THAT YOU WILL MAKE DURING CLASS TO A PARENT/GUARDIAN in which you will explain to them why you are having difficulty following the classroom rules.

ü 3rd offense: A parent/teacher/student conference will be set up. The action plan will be further discussed and modified with the student and parent.

ü 4th Offense: Office referral. Parent will be contacted.

Internet Usage Policy

This is NOT an Internet course! The computers will be used to aide learning, but it will not be used on a daily basis. If you are on the computer at an inappropriate time or on a website that is not directly related to the project, you will receive appropriate disciplinary action and your log in ID could be disabled.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

All students at AHS who are interested in business and information technology are encouraged to join FBLA. Future Leaders of America (FBLA) is a non-profit student organization that prepares students for careers in business and business technology. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.

Articulation Agreement

The Douglas County School System has an articulation agreement with West Central Technical College in regard to some business and information classes. Interested students can check with their guidance counselor for more information.

The Douglas County Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, disability or age in educational programs or activities, or employment practices.