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TENNESSEE VIRTUAL ENTERPIRSE INTERNATIONAL ™

TENNESSEE VIRTUAL ENTERPIRSE INTERNATIONAL ™. TN VEI Director, Cindy Boyd boydc@rcs.k12.tn.us. Program Description.

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TENNESSEE VIRTUAL ENTERPIRSE INTERNATIONAL ™

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  1. TENNESSEE VIRTUAL ENTERPIRSE INTERNATIONAL™ TN VEI Director, Cindy Boyd boydc@rcs.k12.tn.us

  2. Program Description A Virtual Enterprise is a simulated business that is set up and run by students to prepare them for working in a real business environment. With the guidance of a teacher ("facilitator") and real-world business partners, the students determine the nature of their business, its products and services, its management and structure, and engage in the daily operations of running a business. Emphasis is placed on using current business software, communications, and the Internet for business transactions.

  3. More and more classroom teachers have found ways to bring the business world to their students through programs such as the Stock Market Game and Junior Achievement. These programs teach entrepreneurship and practical skills that are essential to career readiness while promoting healthy competition to motivate students. The Virtual Enterprise Program follows in the footsteps of these other efforts, and has the added advantage of linking students in a global business network. This simulation takes the teacher outside of the traditional instructional paradigm and then places the students on the front lines of the business world.

  4. As the network of student-run businesses in the United States continues to grow, virtual enterprises are linking together in regional, national and global networks so that the firms have each other as trading/business partners. Such a network permits standardization and coordination of activities among all firms within a city, state, or country.

  5. History of the Program Virtual Enterprise began in Europe after WWII, though the idea dates back to apprenticeship concepts of the 17th century. There are now over 3,000 Practice Firms (as they are called outside the USA) in Europe, Canada, Australia, Asia, and Latin America.

  6. VE Comes to America In 1994 and 1995, representatives from the New York City Board of Education first observed the success of the program on a visit to schools in Vienna, Austria. They decided to pioneer the concept in the United States. The first Virtual Enterprise program in the United States was implemented in seven New York City high schools in September 1996. Currently, there are over 350 practice firms operating in the United States at secondary and post-secondary levels.

  7. The Tennessee Beginning The following information is a summary of activities for the Virtual Enterprise International™ program at Blackman High School, and the Tennessee expansion.

  8. The Rutherford County School District and Blackman High School in partnership with the TN Department of Education established the Tennessee Virtual Enterprise International™ in 2005-2006. Blackman High School is the location of the Virtual Enterprise Center (VEC) for the State of Tennessee. This center acts as a central office (and clearing house) for the Tennessee Network and serves as a link to other national and international firms

  9. For teachers/facilitators, the center offers annual training and staff development activities, curriculum resources and consulting. For students, the center offers electronic banking and mail services, web page links, company resources, and network coordination of activities, workshops, teleconferences, and competitions. For more information contact the TN VEI Director, Cindy Boyd at boydc@rcs.k12.tn.us.

  10. Since all schools are basically the training ground for the future's workforce, the Virtual Enterprise Program is leading the way in workforce preparation. As the business world constantly changes, the business education world must also change to meet the needs of industry. A simulated working environment, equipped with the latest business technology, will allow students and teachers to enter the virtual business world in the pursuit of global business skills through project based instruction. When Virtual Enterprise students graduate and enter their prospective career path, they bring with them a core of skills founded in the Business Education Career Path.

  11. Virtual Enterprise students understand the implications of global changes and the role of the United States as a major player in the international system. Change is the constant in international, political, social, and economic systems; and Virtual Enterprise is comfortable in this changing world. The goal of every Virtual Enterprise is to combine the motivation to succeed in a chosen field with the skills necessary to manage career advancement. We believe that well prepared, highly motivated Virtual Enterprise students are among the world's best resources for the new century.

  12. The Tennessee Virtual Enterprise serves a wide range of student abilities and interests. One strength of the program is its flexible nature. The simulation model is utilized to serve diverse student populations ranging from students in high school to community college students working on a business degree. Some school sites allow open entry, while other sites require prior course work to enroll in the Virtual Enterprise Program.

  13. Regardless of individual models, the Virtual Enterprise Program's goal is to prepare students for the world of work. The guiding curriculum objectives that should be used by each program are outlined. Since the Virtual Enterprise Programs vary significantly, school site teachers and administrators must tailor their desired program outcomes according to their uniqueness

  14. . Current Status: • 2003: First Virtual Enterprise International™ program at Blackman High School, Murfreesboro, TN. • 2005-06 school year: Sixteen schools throughout TN participated in the Virtual Enterprise International™ program. • 2006-07 school year: Thirty seven additional programs participated in VEI across the state of TN. • Additional schools will be added pending summer training

  15. Eight Good Reasons for the Initial Implementation of the Program

  16. Capstone course for Academy of Business at Blackman High School • To increase the number of Business Technology concentrators at Blackman HS • Integration of English, Math, and CTE courses • Improvement of student learning by helping raise the level of oral and written communication and math skills

  17. Improvement in attendance of upper classmen and make the senior year count • Improvement of the success rate of students in both placement and retention in post-secondary education and or employment • To increase the enrollment of high achieving student leaders in career and technical courses • To increase involvement of the business community in the classroom experience

  18. Future Plans • Continuation of expansion of the TN VEI network state wide • Student workshop for all VE students statewide: October, 2007 • Teachers Retreat: Curriculum revision • Regional Business Plan Competition: January, 2008

  19. Future Plans(cont’d) • Spring Trade Fairs in various states with plans for a TN trade fair in the future • New teacher training sessions • Current teacher workshops held in East, West, and Middle TN

  20. Summary: Data Collected Pre and Post Test: Given at all schools in TN in the school year 2005-2006 that were teaching the VE program. 2006-2007 data is incomplete at this time. Data below compares Blackman and Lawrence County High School for school year 2005-06. (rural and urban)

  21. Blackman High School (Urban): An increase of 58% to 89% on basic business and communication knowledge.

  22. Lawrence County High School (Rural) An increase of 40% to 78% on basic business and communication knowledge.

  23. Attendance • Attendance data is for the school year just completed, 2006-2007. • This data was compiled from 23 responses out of the 35 (37 firms) schools in the TN Network. • Also shown is New York City data.

  24. Exit Questionnaire Responses: Tennessee Virtual Enterprise students were asked to complete an exit questionnaire in the 2006-2007 year. The following tables display this Data is below:

  25. Grants Received • Tech Prep/Lawrence County High School • CATI/Blackman High School • Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation/Blackman High School

  26. Endorsements • Tennessee Board of Education • Tennessee Small Business Development Center • Local Chambers of Commerce throughout the state • Business Partners throughout the state • Tennessee Business Roundtable

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