An examination of current issues in business education courses in the Newfoundland and Labrador senior high school program

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the opinions of district coordinators and teachers at the senior high school level in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador concerning selected general issues of business education in the areas of (1) curriculum structure, (2) curriculum content, (3) instructional materials and methods, and (4) teacher preparation. This study was also designed to obtain an evaluation of the general business and typing courses of the reorganized high school program. -- The data for the study were collected through a questionnaire personally administered at three Regional Business Education Workshops in October, 1984. -- An agree-disagree arrangement was utilized wherein respondents indicated their opinion on each issue. The raw data for each of the groups were converted to percentages for reporting purposes. -- Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that: -- 1. The majority of the teachers of the business education courses at the senior high school level have an academic background and limited experience in teaching these courses. -- 2. While there was definite agreement among district coordinators and teachers that the overall quality of the general business courses was very good, there was a consensus that changes should be made in these courses. -- 3. There was substantial agreement among the district coordinators and teachers that problems are being encountered. -- 4. There is a need to develop an increased awareness of curriculum structure, curriculum content, and instructional materials and methods in business education courses not only among district coordinators and teachers but also in the educational community at large. -- 5. There is a need for improved preparation of teachers of business education courses at the senior high school level. -- 6. There was interest and support among district coordinators and teachers for the past implementation, present continuation, and future development of business education courses at the senior high school level. -- Reaction, interaction, and action must be encouraged among those in the field of business education. -- They must continue to react to current issues in business education, interact to coordinate and influence course offerings, and act to promote business education courses. A number of recommendations and suggested topics for further research are offered.