List of School-Based Enterprises by Region
“A School-Based Enterprise (SBE) is a set of entrepreneurial activities undertaken by students that provides an economic, social and educational return to the student, school and community. Student efforts are designed to enhance personal responsibility, an appreciation of risk versus reward and confidence in achieving and maintaining independence,” (Gamache & Knab, 2008).
Students involved in SBEs have the opportunity to develop employment-related skills ranging from social and personal skills to analytical and management skills. SBEs have long been recognized as programs that can provide crucial first-job experiences for students with disabilities. The opportunity to make connections between curriculum and real-life employment experiences make learning real (DECA STORiole, 2002; Gugerty, Foley, Frank & Olsen, 2008).
In addition, the DECA SBE website describes SBEs as ". . . effective educational tools in helping to prepare students for the transition from school to work or college. For many students, they provide the first work experience; for others, they provide an opportunity to build management, supervision and leadership skills. While some in the education community have only recently discovered the value of school-based enterprises, marketing educators and DECA advisors have used them as a powerful teaching tool for more than four decades.”
There are over a hundred SBEs operating in Florida schools. To find an SBE in your area, click on the appropriate region in the list below.
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References
Gamache, P. & Knab, J. (2008), School-based enterprise development: Planning, implementing and evaluating. Tallahassee, FL: Florida Department of Education.
Gugerty J., Foley C. Frank, A. & Olsen, C. (2008). Developing and operating school-based enterprises that empower special education students to learn and connect classroom, community and career-related skills. The Journal for Vocational Special Needs Education, 31, 19-56.
Ross, S. M. (2002). The School-based enterprise: the DECA STORiole. Retrieved from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/School-based+enterprise%3a+the+DECA+STORiole.-a084148574