Are you innovative, possess drive and passion, and enjoy taking calculated risks? Entrepreneurship is important to keep our economy moving forward with new ideas, and small businesses are pivotal to delivering goods and services to their local communities.
DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition. Examine your course of study and integrate activities from DECA’s comprehensive learning program to show that DECA is connected and relevant.
DECA's Comprehensive Learning Program provides a variety of instructional resources that would be suitable for these courses and more.
Each career cluster contains several career pathways, or specialized career areas that are comprised of careers that require similar knowledge and skills.
Instructional areas are broad areas of content knowledge that are comprised of many performance indicators. Performance indicators are specific knowledge and skills employees are expected to demonstrate or achieve.
The following are examples of career opportunities and occupations that are available within this career cluster.
DECA’s Competitive Events Program is an incredible tool for 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 recognition, awards and travel for learning classroom content is a tremendous motivator – not to mention the scholarships and cash awards recognizing DECA members for outstanding achievement.
With more than 60 events, DECA offers a competitive event for every course and every student.
Case studies provide a student-centered engagement activity to help DECA members apply learning through problem-based scenarios that require creative solutions and practical outcomes. DECA’s case studies challenge DECA members to demonstrate industry-relevant knowledge and skills through performance indicators. DECA’s case studies are developed through industry research to reflect current issues and trends in business and industry.
DECA’s exams are rigorous, industry-validated, multiple-choice, 100-item exams based on National Curriculum Standards. Each exam item is also linked to an instructional area and specific performance indicator.
You are to assume the role of an entrepreneur that will soon open an ice cream parlor in a seaside city popular with tourists. An investor (judge) wants to know how you can determine additional menu items to add that will also attract local residents to the business.
You are to assume the role of an entrepreneur that will soon open an ice cream parlor in a seaside city popular with tourists. An investor (judge) wants to know how you can determine additional menu items to add that will also attract local residents to the business.
You are to assume the role of an entrepreneur that will soon open an ice cream parlor in a seaside city popular with tourists. An investor (judge) wants to know how you can determine additional menu items to add that will also attract local residents to the business.
You are to assume the role of the owner of VEGAN CRAVE. The chain has received another round of funding and your business partner (judge) wants you to weigh the economic pros and cons associated with spending.
You are to assume the role of the owner of VEGAN CRAVE. The chain has received another round of funding and your business partner (judge) wants you to weigh the economic pros and cons associated with spending.
You are to assume the role of the owner of VEGAN CRAVE. The chain has received another round of funding and your business partner (judge) wants you to weigh the economic pros and cons associated with spending.
You are to assume the role of a small business consultant. A client (judge) wants to start a business and has asked you for information about franchises.
You are to assume the role of a small business consultant. A client (judge) wants to start a business and has asked you for information about franchises.
You are to assume the role of a small business consultant. A client (judge) wants to start a business and has asked you for information about franchises.
DECA and its corporate partners have teamed up to provide classroom activities that challenge members to apply learning in relevant ways.
Write and produce your very own episode of DECA at the Bell. Creativity is encouraged; what matters most is the ability to engage the audience while connecting something in the world of business to the world of DECA. The topic/theme of the 2024 challenge is Customer Service.
Develop a public service announcement (PSA) video describing one of the following ethical principles: fairness, rule of law or transparency. The PSA should be designed to educate your local community and those afar through social media.
DECA conferences provide unique opportunities to connect students with corporate professionals to engage them in learning industry-related trends and content.
DECA’s college and corporate partners engage DECA members and help them prepare for colleges and careers of their choice. They provide classroom presentations, scholarships, internships, work experience and much more. Visit our partners page to learn more about developing a win-win relationship with DECA’s partners.