What are Business Education and Economics?

The business education and economics curricula are foundations upon which students build an understanding of economic and business concepts and their applications. Business is the process by which individuals, organizations, and societies interact to improve their economic well-being through the exchange of products, services, and ideas. The ability to make individual decisions based on choice is essential to this process.

In British Columbia's free enterprise system, there are four major issues to address:

what to produce with our available resources
how to produce goods and services
how to distribute goods and services
how to effectively manage and sustain the production and distribution of goods and services

The Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum addresses these questions by presenting a sequence of business principles and economics and business concepts and skill development that responds to students' increasing sophistication and skill levels. The curriculum helps students increase their awareness of economics and business within the home, school, community, and global marketplace.

The business education and economics courses in this IRP provide a framework within which a variety of perspectives may be integrated, including those of small business, corporate business, government, labour unions, workers, economists, and entrepreneurs. The viewpoints of employees, consumers, and employers are also considered. High ethical and environmental standards for the workplace and for business and consumer practices are emphasized.

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Revised: October 8, 1998

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