Business & Information Technology Resources

Statewide Agreements

Adobe CS4 K-12 Site License Solutions [.pdf, 252K, 3 pages]
Certiport Center Process and Pricing (2008-'09) [.doc, 180K, 2 pages]
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred Edition Version 10 (2008-'09) [.pdf, 36K]
MOS, MCAS, and IC3 (2008-'09) [.doc, 66K]

Visions, a publishing company who keeps the student in mind, has developed for Wisconsin a pricing structure that allows teachers to utilize their teacher-written, teacher-tested curriculum tools at reasonable costs. Check out their website at: http://www.teamvistech.com/ and below for Wisconsin only pricing!

Technology Lessons for the Classroom (Computer Applications, Image Management, and Integrated Multimedia) [.pdf, 410K, 2 pages]
Portfolio Builder 2 [.pdf, 123K]
Digital Photography [.pdf, 124K]
Office 2007, Essential Skills, and Web 2.0 Books [.pdf, 523K, 2 pages]

Articulation Agreements with WTCS

Articulation refers to aligning high school and postsecondary curricula to create opportunities for high school students to gain knowledge and skills that match curriculum at the technical college while still in high school. Many times, this allows a student to "skip" a course or to receive actual technical college credit for the course completion. Information about the different articulation options can be found in this document:
Articulated Credit Agreements Between High School and WTCS [.pdf, 332K, 2 pages] (revised November, 2009)

A listing of all WTCS Advanced Standing and Transcripted Credit Agreements is available at http://systemattic.wtcsystem.edu/reports/STW/articulation_agreements.htm.

Program Evaluation

Evaluation of a business and information technology program provides a basis for identifying strengths and challenges for the program and overall curriculum. Program evaluation is not done for accountability purposes; it is intended as a management and planning tool. Use the Quality Program Standards Self-Evaluation (in either pdf or fillable Word format) to self-assess your programs strengths and challenges.

Quality Program Standards Self-Evaluation [.doc, 502K, 9 pages]
Quality Program Standards Self-Evaluation [.pdf, 135K, 9 pages]

Program Promotion

Business Education Slogans for Posters and Stickers

Display posters in your classrooms or hallways to promote Business & Information Technology:
Course Promotional Poster [.doc, 57K]
Course Poster I [.doc, 415K]
Course Poster II [.doc, 69K]
Course Selection [.pdf, 59K]

Use stickers on student's work to promote your program:
Business Education Careers [.pdf, 82K]
Business Education Rocks [.pdf, 18K]
FBLA Recruitment [.pdf, 19K]
Live Your Life Outside the Margins [.pdf, 26K]
Stepping Stones to Your Future [.pdf, 39K]
Your Future is our Business [.pdf, 75K]

Please submit ideas to Jennifer Wegner at jennifer.wegner@dpi.wi.gov.

Be a Business & Information Technology Teacher Brochure [.pdf, 702K, 2 pages]

Get Microsoft Expressions FREE!

Microsoft will provide for your school Microsoft Expression Studio software at no cost. Students are allowed to install on their personal computer also. The signed Academic Instructional Use donation form must be sent according to the directions below and ordered according to the registration instructions attached.

Expression Studio Software Registration Instructions [.doc, 555K]
Academic Instructional Use Donation Form [.pdf, 445K]

Are You Smarter than a Business Education Student?

This presentation (compatible with PowerPoint 97-2003 and 2007) is based on FOX Network's "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" For more information about ordering this customizable PowerPoint presentation for classroom use, please click here: Order Form [.pdf, 74K]

Department of Public Instruction Approved Training for PDP Team Members

To be a Professional Development Plan (PDP) Team member on an Initial or Professional Educator's team, you need to complete DPI-sponsored training. The training has two components. The first is an on-line PI 34 PDP Module which includes a self-assessment. Upon completing this module, you will be asked to print a verification certificate. The second component is registration and participation in a one-day DPI-sponsored PDP Team Training which are hosted through License Renewal Support Centers, School Districts and UniServs. If you would like to participate in one of these sessions, please work through the contact person listed for each location. IMPORTANT: You must bring your verification certificate to the training.

Online training link: http://www.uwex.edu/ics/PI34/

Click here to view DPI PDP Team Member Training Schedule: http://www.dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/doc/pdptrain.doc

Quality Educator Initiative – use this site to develop and approve your Professional Development Plan.

Reviewers: be sure to register so Initial Educators and Professional Educators choosing the PDP route can find qualified PDP Review Team Members. http://qei.wisconsin.edu/

Click here to view trained B&IT PDP Team Member contact information: PDP Team Members [.pdf, 20K, 2 pages]

AP Accounting Initiative

Currently, all work regarding AP Accounting in Wisconsin is TENTATIVE. Check out the following documents for specific information on HOW the initiative works and WHY this initiative it is important.
      Information Sheet [.doc, 43K, 10 pages]
      Course Description [.doc, 29K]
      Course Outline and Learning Objectives [.doc, 182K, 4 pages]
AP Accounting Pilot Wiki

AP Accounting Workshop

AP Accounting is in its third year of PILOT stage. This workshop will prepare participants to implement the course curriculum into their current or expanding Accounting courses, allow for discussions on how these course objectives can “meld” with current college prep Accounting courses, further develop a relationship with college-level accounting teachers to discuss the future potential of AP Accounting.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Certified Public Accountants and the Wisconsin Business Education Association, will be hosting this three-day workshop for Accounting teachers with significant Accounting teaching or field experience with the desire to be a part of the pilot project for AP Accounting.

Participants from all states are welcome to attend. Priority will be given to Wisconsin teachers and those able to implement AP Accounting curriculum in fall of 2010. 2009 participants are eligible to attend again.

Holding fee: A non-refundable $100 holding fee is required of each applicant. These monies will cover meal expenses during the event (breakfast and lunch on each day), and offset costs for our speakers. Checks should be made payable to WBEA and mailed, along with a copy of this completed document to: Jennifer Wegner, DPI, 125 South Webster Street, Madison, WI 53703.

Wisconsin Teacher Stipend: Each Wisconsin teacher choosing to participate will receive a $100 stipend AFTER the event to assist in off-setting the costs of attendance. No additional paperwork is required.

Confirmation emails will be sent upon receipt of registration forms and holding fees. Location, directions (can also be found here), etc. will be included in this email. Any questions can be directed to jennifer.wegner@dpi.wi.gov.

Registration Form with Additional Workshop Information (FORM due May 14, and HOLDING FEE due June 4, 2010)

College/University Trends

Explore this website for participation and preparation rates of Wisconsin’s high school students entering colleges and universities: NCHEMS Information Center

What credits transfer to UW schools? Check out the UW Transfer Information System

IT Trends in Wisconsin

Did you know that careers in IT will be in great demand in the very near future? Check out the document below to get a closer look.
IT Trends in Wisconsin - Graph [.pdf, 168K]

CISCO IT Essentials Program Outcomes are also available here. [.pdf, 68K, 12 pages]

Financial Literacy Resources

"Families Stand Together" will be followed by "Your Life, Your Money" produced by Jump$tart national partner, WNED Buffalo/Toronto, and hosted by Donald Faison, star of "Scrubs." Your Life, Your Money is aimed at young adults who want to get their financial lives on track. It features a number of financial experts, including our friends Michelle Singletary (of Wisconsin) and Beth Kobliner. http://www.pbs.org/your-life-your-money/

The Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team at the University of Florida is conducting the 3rd annual Financial Literacy Challenge for high school students this year.

The University of Florida SIFE Financial Literacy Challenge is a multiple choice, multiple round, online quiz competition about basic financial literacy topics. Students are directed to http://www.knowmoremoney.org/ and are asked to study the material on the website. The students are then tested through a timed quiz on what they learned. The participant that learns the most and scores the highest after two rounds of quizzes earns a scholarship toward a college/community college education. There are no lengthy essay, GPA or recommendation letter requirements. Students only need to concentrate on learning the information about financial literacy and taking a 5-7 minute quiz based on what they learned.

This SIFE team partnered with the Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation to deliver these online quizzes. Last year this program reached over 4,000 students across the country and this year will award $2000 to the first, second, and third place winners.

More than ever, financial literacy is an important topic. Please help spread the word about this educational program and the scholarship opportunity that goes with it.

Personal Finance Survey

A survey of the businessed list serv was conducted to gather information about school districts offering personal finance courses. Responses were summarized into report format including: school district, name of course, department responsible for course, duration of course, grades offered, and requirement for graduation.
Personal Finance Report [.pdf, 400K, 8 pages] (revised February, 2010)
Click here for helpful resources that show that teaching financial literacy is effective.
Click here for to access the Personal Financial Literacy Resources in Wisconsin page.

School Districts in Wisconsin with Credit Unions [.pdf, 44K]

Professional Organizations

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
is a national and state student organization. Wisconsin reported 182 chapters and 6,709 members for 2008-2009. The DPI BIT consultant is the state chair of FBLA.

Phi Beta Lambda (PBL)
is a student organization for business at the college and university level. PBL works closely with the Business Education consultants and with FBLA to meet the needs of post secondary business majors. The consultants advise teacher training institutions in curriculum, accreditation, internships and student teaching, and standards and assessment policies.

Wisconsin Business Education Association (WBEA)
provides leadership to teachers through a spring conference, fall seminar, regional representatives, national and state standards writing and distribution, legislative networking, and the publication of a refereed journal. The BIT consultant is a non-voting member of the WBEA Executive Board.

WBEA Membership Form [.pdf, 72K]

North Central Business Education Association (NCBEA)
objectives are to improve the relationship in business education at the state, regional, and national levels; to promote the professional growth of those in business education; to promote better business education through whatever means seem desirable; and to offer assistance and service to state associations within the region.

National Business Education Association (NBEA)
makes available professional assistance to its members through publications, conferences, legislative lobbying, and development of model academic standards in business education. To join or renew membership, please visit http://www.nbea.org/memberj.html.

Wisconsin Association for Career & Technical Education (WACTE)
is dedicated to the advancement of technical and career education in Wisconsin. Its mission is to unite individuals involved in career and technical education, provides professional development, encourages leadership in the political arena, and promotes innovative change to enhance lifelong learning.

Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)
is the largest national education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for careers. This area offers information about the history, mission and structure of ACTE, as well as details on our annual awards program.

Wisconsin Association for Leadership in Education and Work (WALEW)
will seek to effectively influence, support, and monitor educational reform efforts which relate to the improvement and implementation of programs pertaining to education and work for all students.

Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA)
provides resources and CPE in the accounting profession for members.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
is the national, professional organization for all Certified Public Accountants. Its mission is to provide members with the resources, information, and leadership that enable them to provide valuable services in the highest professional manner to benefit the public as well as employers and clients.

International Society of Business Education
is an organization dedicated to sharing knowledge of business education practices and curriculum from around the world. The following nations are members: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany, Iceland, India, Italy, Norway, Poland, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and USA. The US chapter website is http://www.isbeusa.org/

Return to Curriculum & Standards

For questions about this information, contact Erik A. Sitts (608) 267-9259

Last updated on 2/4/2010 10:15:54 AM