Belize High School


Core Curriculum Business Studies

Business Studies

The 94 standards in the six cores areas identified in this subsection were develop through extensive review of a number of national curriculum standards including CXC syllabi, the National Business Education Standards produced by the National Business Education Association (NBEA) and the U.S MBA Research's 2008 Standards for Marketing, Finance, and Management and Administration. Worth noting that the following codes are used in this subsection: Accounting (Acc), Economics (Econ), Finance (F), Management (Mgmt), Integrated Marketing and Management (MM), and Operations Management and Information Systems (IT).

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Area 1: Accounting

Acc: 1   Develop and maintain successful work ethics
Acc: 2   Understand how an individual job fits into the overall organization and how the             organization is affected by local and internal financial status
Acc: 3   Successfully identify and select multiple strategies to complete projects             independently and cooperatively
Acc: 4   Use technological tools for learning, communication and productivity
Acc: 5   Understand and successfully apply computer accounting systems to input and             process data and to generate financial statements and relevant reports
Acc: 6   Understand the importance of selecting sources for information from a variety of             media
Acc: 7   Create new knowledge by evaluating, combining, or extending information using             multiple technologies
Acc: 8   Communicate to varied audiences using publishing, multi-media and communication             Tools
Acc: 9   Demonstrate understanding of the accounting cycle for a service and merchandising             business
Acc: 10       Explain transactions and complete the accounting cycle for a sole proprietorship
Acc: 11       Understand and apply accounting principles and concepts such as the                   fundamental accounting equation and classifying items as assess, liabilities and                   equity accounts
Acc: 12       Demonstrate understanding of cash management techniques such as bank                   reconciliation, cash controls and filing of income tax forms
Acc: 13       Utilize cash management techniques including band reconciliation and cash controls
Acc: 14       Understand and describe payroll procedures including compensation, with                   holding and employee benefits
Acc: 15       Demonstrate understanding for accounting procedures including applying payroll                   procedures such as compensation and/or withholding benefits
Acc: 16       Understand the accounting cycle, examine and complete accounting cycle for a                   sole proprietor or corporation
Acc: 17       Understand and use accounting principles including the understanding of                   fundamental accounting equation and to classify items as assets, liabilities and                   equity
Acct: 18      Demonstrate knowledge and skills to use payroll procedures including                   compensation, withholding and employees benefit

Knowledge

1.         Explain how the individual fits into the overall organization
2.         Describe technology based tools
3.         Identify local and world-wide networks
4.         Differentiate, manage and maintain various technological tools
5.         Diagnose and solve common technological problems
6.         Explain how technological tools are used to achieve objectives
7.         Identify and use a variety of problem solving strategies
8.         Read and follow multi step directions
9.         Identify and support arguments
10.        Describe how to balance a personal check book
11.        Describe the importance of a balance petty cash
12.        Explain the need to complete personal income tax forms
13.        Identify and use effective and reliable accountings procedures
14.        Describe accepted business standards

Skills

1.         Apply skills and academic knowledge in the workplace setting
2.         Master excel/data sheets and accounting software
3.         Accurate, balance and complete accounting records
4.         Locate and select information using technology
5.         Revise and check information for accuracy
6.         Apply accounting skills to solve real life problems
7.         Recording and analyzing financial information
8.         Create balanced and complete records with
9.         Correctly analyzed transactions
10.        Correct completion of all forms within the accounting cycle
11.        Balance checkbook and petty cash

Attitudes and Disposition

1.         Confirm to accepted accounting standards
2.         Maintain work ethic (e.g. honesty, integrity, dependability etc.)
3.         Make responsible decision in accounting and finance

Area 2: Economics

Econ: 1      Understand and describe basic economic problems such as unlimited and limited                   resources, scarcity of choice and opportunity costs and trade-offs
Econ: 2      Analyze factors of production to include natural, human, capital and                   entrepreneurial resources
Econ: 3      Understand and explain production of goods and services and explain good how                   goods and services used to satisfy wants
Econ: 4      Analyze how resources are derived, the demand for resources and production                   cost
Econ: 5      Demonstrate understanding of the need for effective decision making and benefit                   cost analysis, marginal benefits and costs, individual and social goods, and                   positive and normative economics
Econ: 6      Identify methods to allocate goods and services
Econ: 7      Understand the effects of positive and negative incentives
Econ: 8      Demonstrate understanding for voluntary exchanges and true trade among                   individuals or organizations
Econ: 9      Explain the effects of low production cost on trading
Econ: 10    Understand the importance or resource distribution and absolute and                   comparative advantages
Econ: 11    Understand principles of macroeconomics such as market prices and allocation of                   scarce goods and services
Econ: 12:   Interpret and apply fundamental market economic information by identifying                   steps needed to help individuals and groups accomplish their goal
Econ: 13    Understand the effects of monetary exchanges such as the effective trading,                   borrowing, saving, investing, and compare the values of goods and services
Econ: 14    Determine the effects of market value of the reproductive resources
Econ: 15    Analyze and identify investments which may improve the future and living                   conditions of people
Econ: 16    Understand and explain cost of government polices and benefits including the                   effects of incentives facing voters, government officials and employees
Econ: 17    Analyze the effects of unemployment on individuals and nations

Knowledge

1.         Describe how goods and services are used to satisfy needs and wants
2.         Explain the factors which contribute to demand in resources
3.         Identify production cost such as fixed, variable, marginal and total
4.         Describe production possibilities
5.         Explain the effect of decision making on production
6.         Identify what and how to produce
7.         Identify the use of central planning market mechanisms
8.         Identify the use of competition in a market competition
9.         Explain the effects of trade among individuals
10.        Explain the effects of specialization and division of labor
11.        Identify factors which impact distribution and interdependence
12.        Explain absolute and comparative advantages
13.        Explain market and relative prices
14.        Identify and explain the law of supply and demand
15.        Explain factors influencing cost of production
16.        Identify factors influencing competition
17.        Analyze the effects of unemployment

Skills

1.         Analyze forms of protectionism
2.         Use strategies to maximize efficiency
3.         Apply concepts of free trade and trade barriers in decision making
4.         Apply market value skills to assess viable business opportunities

Attitudes and Disposition

1.         Value self interest and choice
2.         Explain the importance of value and demand

Area 3: Finance

F: 1      Demonstrate financial responsibility and decision making skills including the ability to             find and use reliable information and to apply decision-making principles to manage             personal finances
F: 2      Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts and practices related to             management of individual and family finances
F: 3      Evaluate relevant, reliable financial information for making personal financial             decisions
F: 5      Understand how education, income, and careers and other life choices relate to             achieving financial goals
F: 6      Identify and analyze various forms of income/compensation
F: 7      Organize and plan personal finances and use a budget to manage cash flow
F: 8      Analyze financial institution services and apply consumer skills
F: 9      Analyze the costs, risks, responsibilities, and benefits of using various types of credit
F: 10    Analyze saving and investing for short-term needs and for building long-term             financial security
F: 11    Demonstrate understanding of risks in life and how to gain protection against the             consequences of risk

Knowledge

1.         Define and give examples of economic wants and needs
2.         Define and give examples of scarcity
3.         Define and give examples of the opportunity cost(s) and trade-offs of personal             choices
4.         Demonstrate understanding of rational economic decision making by explaining the
            advantages and disadvantages of alternatives in a given situation
5.         Apply the steps in a rational decision-making process to a situation involving an             individual making an economic decision
6.         Give examples of the benefits of financial responsibility and the costs of financial
            irresponsibility
7.         Analyze strengths and weaknesses of financial information from a variety of print and
            Online resources
8.         Describe the actions an individual can take to control access to information related to
            personal financial transactions/activities (e.g., safeguard personal info, identity theft,
            phishing, scams, disposal of financial documents)
9.         Explain, by using an example, how education and/or training can affect lifetime             income
10.       Analyze, using online and printed sources, characteristics and requirements of             occupations
            of interest, including entrepreneurial opportunities and compare to personal skills
11.       Explain the difference between earned and unearned income and give an example             of each
12.       Distinguish between income and wealth
13.       Identify sources of unearned income (gifts, etc.)
14.       Differentiate between gross and net income and explain items commonly withheld             from gross pay
15.       Give examples of employee benefits and explain why they are forms of compensation
16.       Explain the concept of taxes and how taxes affect purchasing power; identify the             types of taxes individuals commonly incur
17.       Explain interest as a cost of credit and explain why it is charged
18.       Analyze methods and benefits of avoiding or correcting credit and debt problems
19.       Analyze major consumer credit laws, including those pertaining to credit reports
20.       Describe why and how people save, include short- and long-term goals
21.       Identify the opportunity costs of saving
22.       Differentiate between saving and investing
23.       Distinguish between simple and compound interest

Skills

1.         Research major consumer protection laws and other resources relevant to making             decisions and resolving complaints
2.         Use strategies for understanding various attitudes about money and for discussing             financial issues with family and/or financial personnel
3.         Use basic budget categories and how they relate to spending practices
4.         Organize, record and use financial records
5.         Apply short- and long-term financial goals
6.         Develop personal financial plan/budgets
7.         Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different payment methods,             including cash, checks, stored-value cards, debit cards, credit cards, and electronic or             online payment systems
8.         Use reliable consumer resources and practices to make buying decisions
9.         Analyze how advertising techniques and other external factors can influence             spending decisions
10.       Apply consumer skills to purchase decision alternatives (immediate, delay, or cancel)
11.       Identify sources of investment information and analyze investment alternatives and             the factors that affect the rate of return on investments, including inflation
12.       Identify strategies for planning for long-term financial goals
13.       Analyze how agencies that regulate financial institutions/markets protect investors
14.       Analyze the nature of personal financial risk and the importance of protecting against             financial loss
15.       Describe the need for and value of various types of insurance (health, property, life,             disability, and liability) during specific stages of the life cycle
16.       Explain the relationship between risk and insurance
17.       Explain how insurance deductibles work
18.       Identify the factors to consider when determining the amount of protection needed
19.       Explain the purpose and value of estate planning in risk management

Attitudes and Disposition

1.         Value the rights, responsibilities, advantages, and disadvantages associated with             using services of various types of financial institutions
2.         Value the steps in establishing and maintaining financial accounts, including checking,             savings, on-line banking, and investments
3.         Effectively use and evaluate the various methods of financing a purchase
4.         Apply ethical principles related to financial transaction
5.         Demonstrate strong background knowledge and principles governing financial             Management

Area 4: Management

Mgmt: 1     Demonstrate understanding of the need for entrepreneurship
Mgmt: 2     Understand the economic environment as it relates to entrepreneurship
Mgmt: 3     Understand and explain the influence of technology as it relates to small                   business
Mgmt: 4     Evaluate the impact of global influence in operating a small business
Mgmt: 5     Understand and explain legal responsibilities of entrepreneur
Mgmt: 6     Analyze the importance of ethics as it applies to small business
Mgmt: 7     Understand and describe the role of promotion as it applies to small business
Mgmt: 8     Demonstrate understanding and distinguish among the elements of the                   promotional mix
Mgmt: 9     Critically analyze sources used in financing a business
Mgmt: 10   Effectively describe the financial statements used by a small business
Mgmt: 11   Effectively interpret financial records used in a small business
Mgmt: 12    Assess motivational techniques used to increase performance levels
Mgmt: 13    Demonstrate understanding of generate human resource management policies
Mgmt: 14    Determine operating policies needed for the success of a small business
Mgmt: 15    Explain the types of controls used in small business
Mgmt: 16    Describe factors to consider when selecting vendors
Mgmt: 17    Understand inventory procedures used by small businesses

Knowledge

1.         Recognize the components of a business plan
2.         Compare/contrast the types of business ownership
3.         Explain the sources of technical assistance available to entrepreneur
4.         Describe the four elements of the marketing mix
5.         Assess the role of competition in marketing
6.         Examine the factors affecting pricing
7.         Describe pricing strategies
8.         Examine the factors and importance of site selection
9.         Analyze costs associated with operating a small business
10.        Determine information needed to obtain financing
11.        Calculate simple and compound interest
12.        Identify the components of human resource management
13.        Identify the various quality initiatives
14.        Analyze the process for developing your business plan

Skills

1.         Categorize types of businesses
2.         Explore behavioral characteristics and traits of an entrepreneur
3.         Examine motives for starting your own business
3.         Assess the advantages of owning a business versus working for someone
4.         Assess and evaluate the various ways to start your own business
5.         Design a product/service mix
6.         Develop product strategies

Attitudes and Disposition

1.         Justify the role of market research.
2.         Justify the importance of defining a target market and marketing niche
3.         Identify risks associated with operating a business
4.         Identify the importance of techniques/methods to manage risk

Area 5: Integrated Marketing & Management

MM: 1     Analyze marketing functions and related activities
MM: 2     Evaluate the importance of marketing and management
MM: 3     Distinguish the types of businesses that market goods and services
MM: 4     Examine an employee's responsibilities in an entry-level marketing position
MM: 5     Analyze the rights of employees and employers
MM: 6     Evaluate the importance of ongoing education as an employee
MM: 7     Investigate characteristics and actions that employers expect of employees
MM: 8     Evaluate an employee's rights versus an employer's expectations
MM: 9     Research training methods provided by companies for their employees
MM: 10   Identify and explore career opportunities in marketing and management
MM: 11   Determine techniques for creating positive first impressions
MM: 12   Explain and practice appropriate interpersonal skills
MM: 13   Develop communication skills necessary for marketing and management careers
MM: 14   Demonstrate organizational and leadership skills
MM: 15   Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of academic integration in the               area of exploration of marketing and management

Knowledge

1.         Differentiate between the four P's of marketing and explains how they relate to the             marketing concept.
2.         Explains how consumers are affected by marketing.
3.         Categorizes the types of businesses found in a private enterprise system
4.         Investigate career options in the marketing and management fields
5.         Explain the importance of marketing and management careers in a private enterprise             system.
6.         Discuss the benefits associated with careers in marketing
7.         Explain the impact of marketing on the economy of the U.S.
8.         Compare and contrast benefits of a marketing career with those of other professions
9.         Demonstrate the importance of using effective communication
10.        Distinguish between the types of communication that are used in business

Skills

1.         Evaluate school-based enterprises for a safe working environment
2.         Use a variety of resources, collect information about a specific marketing career
3.         Develop a career plan to use in marketing yourself to potential employers
4.         Illustrate forms of business communication
5.         Evaluate sample resumes and cover letters
6.         Identify and demonstrate personal characteristics needed in leadership situations.
7.         Complete an interest inventory

Attitudes and Disposition

1.         Assess his/her values and interests as they relate to career choice
2.         Assesses the career opportunities in marketing and management
3.         Analyze interpersonal skills needed in marketing and management
4.         Participates in a team-building group activity
5.         Utilize critical thinking in decision-making situations

Area 6: Operations and Management Information System

The 17 Operations and Management Information System standards included in this subsection represent a merger of the expected standards described in Secondary Technology Standards in Belize, the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and technology performance described in the updated version of the Massachusetts K-12 Technology Literacy Standards. Additionally, the Partnership for 21st Century Skill and the Partnership’s Framework for 21st Century Learning are incorporated in these standards.

IT: 1     Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers
IT: 2     Demonstrate understanding of the underlying hardware, software, and connectivity
IT: 3     Demonstrate use of intermediate features in word processing applications (e.g.,             tabs, indents, headers and footers, end notes, bullet and numbering, tables
IT: 4     Identify probable types and locations of Web sites by examining their domain names,             and explain that misleading domain names are sometimes created in order to             deceive people (e.g., .edu, .com, .org, .gov, .au).
IT: 5     Understand, explain and correctly use terms related to networks (e.g., LANs, WANs,             servers, and routers) and Internet connectivity (e.g., DSL, T1, T3).
IT: 6     Understand, explain and correctly use terms related to online learning (e.g., IP             address, post, thread, Intranet, discussion forum, drop box, account, password).
IT: 7     Create a multimedia presentation using various media as appropriate (e.g., audio,             video, animations, etc.).
IT: 8     Use a variety of technology tools (e.g., dictionary, thesaurus, grammar-checker,             calculator) to maximize the accuracy of work.
IT: 9     Demonstrate responsible use of technology
IT: 10   Understand ethics and safe use of electronic media at home, in school, and in society
IT: 11   Use technology for research, critical thinking, problem solving and decision making
IT: 12   Use and modify databases and spreadsheets to analyze data and propose solutions
IT: 13   Demonstrate competencies in excel to include but not limited to creating and             managing workbooks using functions such as sum, v look up, h look up, pivot table,             macros, conditional functions, using gold seek to do what if analysis etc.
IT: 14   Design, create and maintain a data base using multiple tables
IT: 15   Creating formatted documents using tables and columns incorporating graphics and             special characters
IT: 16   Design and create slide presentations by utilizing appropriate font face, font color,             font size and contrasting background
IT: 17   Utilize desktop publishing to effectively use publishing software to create art

Knowledge

1.         Identify successful troubleshooting strategies for minor hardware and software             problems
2.         Identify and use a variety of storage media e.g. Flash drives, on line storages
3.         Demonstrate keyboarding skills
4.         Describe the structure and function of a database, using related terms appropriately
5.         Distinguish among different types of charts and graphs, and choose the most             appropriate type to represent given data
6.         Describe the use of spreadsheets to calculate, graph, organize, and present data in             a variety of real-world settings
7.         Explain ethical issues related to privacy, plagiarism, spam, viruses, hacking, and file             sharing
8.         Explain how copyright law protects the ownership of intellectual property, and             explain possible consequences of violating the law
9.         Explain fair use guidelines for using copyrighted materials (e.g., images, music, video,             text) in school projects
10.       Describe appropriate and responsible use of communication tools (e.g., chats,             instant messaging, blogs, and wikis)
11.       Identify and discuss the technology proficiencies needed in the workplace, as well             as ways to prepare to meet these demands
12.       Identify and describe the effect technological changes have had on society
13.       Explain how technology can support communication and collaboration, personal and             professional productivity, and lifelong learning