Junior Achievement to Move Student Programming Online this Fall
Financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness have never been more important for Connecticut students, so Junior Achievement of Southwest New England will be continuing its popular programs online this fall, complete with volunteers from leading businesses across the state helping to deliver the lessons.
Because many school districts will be operating on limited in-class schedules or will not be permitting non-school personnel to meet in-person with classes, JA has developed three new options to connect students with the JA curriculum, including methods that involve local volunteers in new ways.
The first will allow volunteers to either record their lectures in advance or provide the curriculum material to students via livestream. The second has the JA curriculum delivered by a classroom teacher, and the third, at the option of the school, would be teacher-led with a volunteer present via video.
Each method will allow students to ask questions, either of their teacher or - through meeting software - to the local business volunteer. In addition, a YouTube channel is also being developed. The curriculum information will also be available on the Junior Achievement website, www.jaconn.org, giving students an opportunity to work on lessons from home, or delve more deeply into the material. Despite moving to an online platform, the quality of the JA curriculum will remain unchanged.
“We’re looking forward to the new school year, whether students are in the classroom or learning online from home, we will be there for them. Junior Achievement’s goal has always been to inspire and impact the lives of young people through our volunteers sharing their knowledge and expertise,” said Jeremy Race, CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England. “We are very pleased to say that will continue, with adjustments for the current circumstances.”
Providing children from kindergarten through 12th grade with positive adult role models who illustrate ways to build self-confidence and develop financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness skills, is a hallmark of Junior Achievement. JA volunteers come from all walks of life and use their personal experiences to make the JA curricula of more than a dozen programs practical and realistic, helping to empower students to own their economic success.
“We are committed to continuing to inspire students, and help prepare them with skills they can take forward through life,” Race added. “The JA curriculum will provide young people with the tools, resources, and support they need to navigate these uncertain times and strive toward a better future."
In 2019, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England was awarded one of Junior Achievement USA’s highest honors for the fourth consecutive year: the Five Star Award, in recognition of its growth in student impact and superior fiscal performance. During the 2018-19 school year in Connecticut, with the help of more than 3,300 volunteers - business professionals, parents, retirees, and college students - JA of Southwest New England taught more than 47,000 Connecticut students about business, jobs, and the importance of education for success.