Two recent national studies of high schools concluded that American teens are attracted to the idea of owning and managing their own businesses. The results confirm the Foundation’s strategic focus on providing opportunities for Northeast Ohio youth and educators to learn about and experience entrepreneurship.
Among the key findings of the study released in September by Junior Achievement (JA) and the National Chamber Foundation (NCF) were:
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A majority of high school juniors is interested in entrepreneurship, but are concerned about the economy.
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Six in 10 juniors have been taught about entrepreneurship or free enterprise. Nine in 10 juniors believe it is important that students are taught about entrepreneurship, free enterprise, and capitalism. Nearly two-thirds would be interested in taking a class on entrepreneurship.
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Juniors who had been taught about free enterprise felt more positively about it, and were more likely to support limits on government regulation.
JA and the NCF say they will use this study “to raise awareness of the need for additional student education in the areas of entrepreneurship, free enterprise and capitalism…and to further partner to bring JA’s innovative entrepreneurship programs to more students.” To see a summary report on the survey, visit: http://www.ja.org/files/polls/2011-Free-Enterprise-Survey-Exec-Summary.pdf .
Similarly, Operation HOPE, a nonprofit that promotes financial literacy programs, and the Gallup Organization teamed up to ask a wide range of American youth (fifth graders through high school seniors) about their entrepreneurial aspirations. The poll is taken annually as part of Gallup’s ongoing telephone surveys of the U.S. youth. Student responses to the survey questions about entrepreneurship and financial literacy are compiled to produce the Gallup-HOPE Index. The survey results indicated that the overwhelming majority of the nation’s youth had the spirit of entrepreneurs, but that many lacked specific educational opportunities to learn about business or gain practical experience with entrepreneurship. For more on the Gallup-HOPE Index 2011, visit: http://www.gallup.com/poll/150077/Students-Entrepreneurial-Energy-Waiting-Tapped.aspx
Source: The Free Enterprise National Survey: Viewpoints from U.S. High School Juniors, sponsored by Junior Achievement USA and the National Chamber Foundation, 2011.
Source:The Gallup Organization.
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