Aspire for Higher Student Success

WWW.DECA.ORG | DECA 1

ASPIRE FORHIGHER STUDENT SUCCESS

MAKE AN IMPACT ON STUDENTSENHANCE TEACHING AND LEARNINGBRING VISIBILITY AND SUPPORT TO YOUR SCHOOL

2 DECA | WWW.DECA.ORG

Let’s talk about DECA.Watch our short 5-minute DVD that showcases how DECA supports academic achievement and improves the student experience.<www.deca.org/about/

Aspire for higher student success with

As a principal in a high school with a large, diverse student population, high parental and community expectations and the constant pressure of high-stakes testing, I understand the challenges of motivating faculty and students. As a career educator and parent, I also understand the value of going beyond the knowledge-based testing to assure our kids are college and career ready. That’s why I want to recommend DECA as a tool that has worked extremely well for me, my faculty and our community.

Throughout my more than 25 years as a teacher and administrator, I have advised and supported co-curricula student activities like DECA because of their value in motivating students and engaging parents and the community. The opportunity these activities offer the students to connect with the school while extending the classroom and creating advocates in the community is often the intangible difference between a good school and a great education.

DECA has been a part of the co-curricula offerings for over 65 years, serving more than 5,000 high schools in 50 states and nine countries each year. Like all aspects of education, DECA reformed its programs to reflect the changing priorities of education and evolving needs of the global economy, thus best preparing its members to be college and career ready. DECA has done an incredible job by restructuring its learning programs, including competitive events, leadership programs and online challenges, to tie directly to national curriculum standards. DECA has also expanded its curriculum connection beyond marketing and entrepreneurship to include finance, hospitality and management. In addition, DECA has created incredible new partnerships with the business community and colleges and embedded 21st Century Skills like creativity, problem solving, self-direction, social responsibility and technology fluency directly into student programs.

Please take a few minutes and review the enclosed DVD and support materials. You will like what you see. If you think DECA is a good fit for your school, meet with your faculty teaching marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and business management and help them establish a chapter.

Paul A. WardinskiPrincipal, West Springfield High SchoolSpringfield, Virginia

MEET PAUL WARDINSKI> 15 years of service as

principal > 11 years of service as a

teacher

> Fairfax County Public Schools Principal of the Year Nominee, 2009

> BETA Administrator of the Year, 2002

> VAME State of Virginia Teacher of the Year, 1996

ABOUT WEST SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL> Grades 9-12> 2300+ students> 220 faculty and staff

DECA activities are endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.


PREPARE YOUR STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE + CAREERSDECA members become academically prepared students demonstrating college and career readiness by engaging in academically challenging programs that include advanced coursework and career and technical education.

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program

Integrates into Classroom InstructionAn integral component of classroom instruction, DECA activities provide authentic, experiential learning methods to prepare members for college and careers.

Applies LearningDECA members put their knowledge into action through rigorous project-based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes.

Connects to BusinessPartnerships with businesses at local and broader levels provide DECA members realistic insight into industry and promote meaningful, relevant learning.

Promotes CompetitionAs in the global economy, a spark of competition drives DECA members to excel and improve their performance.

DECA prepares the next generation to be

Academically PreparedDECA members are ambitious, high-achieving leaders equipped to conquer the challenges of their aspirations.

Community OrientedRecognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECA members continually impact and improve their local and broader communities.

Professionally ResponsibleDECA members are poised professionals with ethics, integrity and high standards.

Experienced LeadersDECA members are empowered through experience to provide effective leadership through goal setting, consensus building and project implementation.

DECA’S GUIDING PRINCIPLES

<DECA<National

0

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Advanced Placement Other AdvancedHonors Programs

College CreditCourses

Gifted/AcceleratedPrograms

InternationalBaccalaureate

DECA members enter college with more credits and other forms of academic credentials than the national average.

DECA members are enrolled in courses that support the marketing, finance, hospitality and business management career clusters.

5%15%

73%MARKETING

18%FINANCE

16%

MANAGEMENT HOSPITALITY

Research findings courtesy of the National Research Center for College and University Admissions. The sample included 22,931 high school DECA members at association career development conferences and was compared to data from more than one million students nationwide.

FUTURE MAJOR/CAREER PATH DECA NATIONAL

Accounting/Finance 8.4% 2.5%

Business Administration 14.5% 4.5%

Business - International 11.5% 1.5%

Business Owner/Entrepreneur 16.3% 3.9%

Fashion Merchandising 3.8% 2.3%

Hospitality/Resort Management 2.1% 0.4%

Marketing/Advertising 13.2% 1.3%

Sports Marketing/Management 5.3% 2.4%

When selecting a career, DECA members are more likely to select a career in marketing, finance, hospitality or business management.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP


ENRICH THE CLASSROOM

The DECA experience starts in the classroom where students learn business concepts in preparation for college and careers. A powerful instructional program, DECA brings the classroom to life. DECA enhances the classroom experience and empowers the teacher-advisor to make learning relevant with exciting, challenging learning programs that integrate into classroom instruction, apply learning, connect to business and promote competition.

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program naturally supports programs of study in four career clusters: Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, and Hospitality, giving teachers the tools and resources to incorporate DECA into the curriculum and bring the classroom to life. For each career cluster, DECA programs span secondary and postsecondary levels of education, demonstrate strong partnerships, provide an accountability and evaluation system and deliver professional development. DECA activities increase the rigor and relevance of classroom instruction.

DECA programs are aligned with National Curriculum Standards in Marketing, Business Management, Finance and Hospitality. DECA offers teacher-advisor professional development opportunities to support teacher effectiveness.

COMPREHENSIVELEARNING PROGRAM

CORPORATE PARTNER CHALLENGES

SCHOOL-BASED ENTERPRISES

DIMENSIONSMAGAZINE

EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES

COMPETITIVE EVENTS PROGRAM

COLLEGE + BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS

EDUCATIONALPARTNERS

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

WEEK

of DECA advisors indicated that DECA is one of the most active organizations in their schools in terms of student engagement.

50%

of DECA advisors use the new DECA website regularly to access teaching and learning resources.

80%

DECA advisors have unparalleled access to resources to enhance the classroom experience, bring learning to life and motivate students.

Educators who serve as DECA advisors value the program as a powerful teaching and learning tool.

of DECA advisors indicated their personal involvement in the organization at a very high level.

68%


MARKETING

Advertising CampaignApparel and Accessories Marketing SeriesAutomotive Services Marketing SeriesBusiness Services Marketing SeriesBuying and Merchandising Operations

ResearchBuying and Merchandising Team Decision

MakingCommunity Service ProjectCreative Marketing ProjectFashion Merchandising Promotion PlanFood Marketing SeriesLearn and Earn ProjectMarketing Communications Team Decision

MakingMarketing Management SeriesPrinciples of MarketingProfessional SellingPublic Relations ProjectRetail Merchandising SeriesSports and Entertainment Marketing

Operations ResearchSports and Entertainment Marketing

SeriesSports and Entertainment Marketing Team

Decision MakingSports and Entertainment Promotion PlanVirtual Business Challenge RetailVirtual Business Challenge Sports

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT + ADMINISTRATION

Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making

Business Services Operations ResearchEntrepreneurship ParticipatingEntrepreneurship Promotion ProjectEntrepreneurship WrittenHuman Resources Management SeriesInternational Business PlanPrinciples of Business Management and

Administration

FINANCE

Accounting Applications SeriesBusiness Finance SeriesFinance Operations ResearchFinancial Literacy Promotion ProjectFinancial Services Team Decision MakingPrinciples of FinanceStock Market Game

HOSPITALITY + TOURISM

Hospitality Services Team Decision MakingHospitality and Tourism Operations

ResearchHospitality and Tourism Professional

SellingHotel and Lodging Management SeriesPrinciples of Hospitality and TourismQuick Serve Restaurant Management

SeriesRestaurant and Food Service Management

SeriesTravel and Tourism Team Decision Making

DECA Transcripts document members’ mastery of academic content in DECA’s Competitive Events Program.

DECA’s Competitive Events Program is an incredible tool for your curriculum. As an integral part of the classroom curriculum, DECA’s industry-validated competitive events are aligned with National Curriculum Standards. DECA’s flagship evaluation process involves students in both a written component such as an exam or report and an interactive component with an industry professional serving as a judge. DECA’s competitive events reinforce creativity, problem solving and presentation skills.

The potential for members to earn scholarships and cash awards for learning classroom content is a tremendous motivator.

With more than 45 events, DECA offers a competitive event for every course and every student.<www.deca.org/competitions/highschool

DECA’S COMPETITIVE EVENTS BY CAREER CLUSTER

of DECA members report that DECA has influenced their future plans.

91%

DECA members are seven times more likely to study business topics in college.

7X


EXTEND LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

> STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS DECA members have an exclusive opportunity to earn one of DECA’s corporate scholarships. More than $300,000 in scholarships are presented annually to DECA members for their academic achievement, DECA involvement and college and career preparedness.

> COLLEGE CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS + CAREER GUIDANCEDECA’s college partners engage DECA members and help them prepare for the colleges and careers of their choice. Many of DECA’s college partners provide classroom presentations as well as tuition discounts exclusively to DECA members.

> INTERNSHIPS, WORK EXPERIENCE + EMPLOYMENTMore than 20 of DECA’s corporate partners provide opportunities for internships, work experience and employment. Many provide scholarships exclusively to DECA members who are their associates.

> COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIESRecognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECA members continually impact and improve their local and broader communities. Community service activities engage students while focusing around a common effort. They teach the importance of giving back, project implementation, communication skills and team building. Each year, DECA members raise more than $450,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and other important causes.

> LEARNING WHILE EARNINGThe fundraising process allows DECA advisors to incorporate many key educational concepts, such as marketing, finance and customer service, into a learning activity while earning funds for chapter activities. DECA provides access to a variety of approved fundraising vendors to help chapters acquire quality products.

Access to DECA’s college and business partners extends learning, supports your program and builds community awareness.<www.deca.org/partners

<Learn more about DECA’s partnership with these and other companies at www.deca.org/partners.


ENHANCE YOUR TEACHERS

DECA advisors instantly become part of a network of thousands of colleagues who teach the same courses. DECA offers high-quality, continuous professional development resources, workshops and seminars to enhance their skills and performance.<www.deca.org/advisors

DECA Images offers teaching resources and curriculum materials relating to DECA’s competitive events and career areas. <www.deca.org/shop

> NEW ADVISOR MENTORSHIPDECA welcomes new professionals to our organization. Through monthly electronic mentorship as well as the New Advisor Academy at the International Career Development Conference, DECA helps bring our new advisors up-to-speed. We’re only a phone call or e-mail away.

> ADVISOR NEWSLETTER + CHAPTER PACKETS DECA Insight informs chapter advisors about DECA events and programs and provides professional development articles four times a year. DECA Insight is delivered in chapter packets that include tools such as DECA’s business partner poster series and fundraising ideas.

> DECA CERTIFIED TRAINER WORKSHOPSDelivered at state and regional conferences, these DECA workshops are conducted by one of 30 certified DECA trainers on topics including chapter success, integrating DECA learning activities into the classroom, competitive events and the roles of a chapter advisor.

> DECA CHAPTER ADVISOR SUMMER INSTITUTESThese four-day institutes send DECA chapter advisors back into the classroom armed with resources and ideas to create the most exciting learning experience for their students. The institutes feature innovative ideas, competitive events strategies and professional networking designed to improve performance as a DECA advisor and increase student achievement.

> PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPSDECA’s corporate partners provide scholarships to DECA advisors who wish to continue their professional development.

> WEBINARSAdvisors are invited to participate in webinar presentations on a variety of topics featuring content experts. If you’ve missed a session, you can view it in DECA’s virtual learning center.


START A DECA CHAPTER

DECA IS YOUR ANSWER FOR• Motivating students to learn curriculum with recognition.• Fostering a small learning community within your school.• Engaging community and business partners in the learning process.• Bringing visibility and support to the school.• Providing advisors with curriculum, resources and professional development.• Making a tremendous impact on students.

ROLE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR• Encourage a faculty member to serve

as a DECA advisor and integrate DECA activities into classroom instruction.

• Provide necessary resources for chapter success.

• Provide recognition for DECA members and advisors.

YOU WILLBE A HERO

ROLE OF THE ADVISOR• Integrate activities that teach or

reinforce specific academic and career standards.

• Engage your students in a small learning community and provide opportunities for leadership.

• Facilitate career preparation and goal setting among your students.

• Involve business leaders in various advisory roles and integrate the use of business leaders into classroom activities.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

• Visit with your faculty teaching

business, entrepreneurship, finance,

hospitality and marketing.

• Encourage them to review this material

and watch the DVD.

• Start a chapter.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit www.deca.org/page/learnmore

Contact Christopher Young at (703) 860-

5000 or [email protected]

Documents

Aspire for Higher Student Success