Administrative Support and Information Processing Cluster

PREPARATION  LEVEL  COURSES

B310 Information Processing I

Course length: 1 year

Course credit: 1.0

Grade level: 11, 12

Information Processing I is a skill-level course that includes the concepts and terminology related to the people, equipment, and procedures of information processing as well as skill development in the use of information processing equipment.  Students will operate computer equipment to prepare memos, letters, reports, and forms.  Students will create rough drafts, correct copy, process incoming and outgoing telephone calls and mail, and transmit and receive messages electronically.  Students will create, input, and update databases and spreadsheets.  Students will create data directories; copy, rename, move, and delete files, and perform backup procedures.  In addition, students will prepare files to merge, as well as create mailing labels and envelopes from merge files.  Students will learn to locate and retrieve information from hard copy and electronic sources, and prepare masters for a presentations using presentation software.  Students will apply proper grammar, punctuation, spelling and proofreading practices.  Accuracy will be emphasized.  Workplace skills as well as communication skills (thinking, listening, composing, revising, editing, and speaking) will be taught and integrated throughout this course.

B410 INFORMATION PROCESSING II

Course length: 1 year

Course credit: 1.0

Grade level: 11, 12

Information Processing II is a skill-level course for students who have completed Information Processing I.

Students will create and update documents using word processing and desktop publishing programs and put together slideshows, speaker notes and handouts using presentation software.  Students will revise data in a stored database and use queries to create customized reports.  Students will edit and utilize calculation functions in spreadsheets, integrate graphics, spreadsheets, tables, text and data into documents and reports, and create graphs and charts from spreadsheets.   Students will learn to conduct research on the internet and/or intranet, prepare and answer routine correspondence, organize and maintain a filing system, maintain an appointment calendar, make travel arrangements, prepare itineraries and expense reports, and prepare and process timesheets.  In addition, students will maintain inventory, order equipment and supplies, and perform routine equipment maintenance. 

Students will apply proper grammar, punctuation, spelling and proofreading practices to documents and reports.  Accuracy will be emphasized.  Workplace skills as well as communication skills will be taught and integrated throughout this course.

A simulated information processing center or workbased learning experience may be used to provide students with the experience of working in the environment of an information processing center.

B300 ACCOUNTING I

Course length: 1 year

Course credit: 1.0

Grade level: 11, 12

Accounting I is a skill level course that is of value to all students pursuing a strong background in business, marketing, and management.  This course includes planned learning experiences that develop initial and basic skills used in systematically computing, classifying, recording, verifying and maintaining numerical data involved in financial and product control records including the paying and receiving of money.  Instruction includes information on keeping financial records, summarizing them for convenient interpretation, and analyzing them to provide assistance to management for decision making.  Accounting computer applications should be integrated throughout the course where applicable.  In addition to stressing basic fundamentals and terminology of accounting, instruction should provide initial understanding of the preparation of budgets and financial reports, operation of related business machines and equipment, and career opportunities in the accounting field.  Processing employee benefits may also be included.  Practice sets with business papers may be used to emphasize actual business records management.

B311 BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY & PROCEDURES (Replaces Office Procedures)

Course length: 1 year

Course credit: 1.0

Grade level: 11, 12

Business Technology & Procedures is a skill-level course that is designed to prepare students for entry level employment in a technology-based office setting.  Integrated software applications will be included in this course.

Instruction will focus on office etiquette, office management, telephone and communications procedures, time management, records management, and proper business behavior and attire.  Students will perform clerical duties, create, edit and correct documents, records and files, perform information processing activities (e.g. spreadsheets, database entry, desktop publishing) and prepare documents using presentation software.  Students will discuss appropriate procedures for receiving visitors, patients or clients, and organize, schedule and plan meetings.  In addition, students will file materials manually and electronically, make travel arrangements, perform financial activities, process mail, transmit messages electronically, and maintain office supplies and equipment.  Students will organize and plan office activities, compose and distribute meeting notes and reports, answer routine correspondence, input information from voice recordings; conduct research using the intranet and/or internet, and supervise and train other employees. 

Students will apply proper grammar, punctuation, spelling and proofreading skills.  Accuracy will be emphasized.   Students will apply new skills as well as skills learned in other courses to complete a series of realistic office assignments or participate in an office workbased learning experience.  Workplace skills as well as communication skills (thinking, listening, composing, revising, editing and speaking) will be taught and integrated throughout this course.

 B312 Shorthand I

Course length: 1 year

Course credit: 1.0

Grade level: 11, 12

This course is learning the basic Gregg shorthand theory.  Reading reinforces the theory.  Dictation and transcription are introduced.  During the second semester emphasis is on speed building, transcription, and language arts.  Exercises in grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, and proofreading are used to facilitate the ability to prepare mailable letters.

B313 Speedwriting / Shorthand

Course length: 1 year

Course credit: 1.0

Grade level: 11, 12

Speedwriting shorthand is a system based on the alphabet to represent the sounds that make up our language.  Students will learn to apply these principles to learn the theory of speedwriting shorthand, develop reading and writing skills, and take dictation and transcription.  These skills are beneficial for college notetaking, reporters, police officers making out reports, or any secretarial position.  Intensive speed building in taking speedwriting notes and transcribing mailable letters is usually stressed during the second semester of this course.  There is an integration of speedwriting, keyboarding, and language skills beneficial for those continuing in the business field.

B401 COOPERATIVE OFFICE EDUCATION

Course length: 1 year

Course credit: variable

Grade level: 11, 12

Cooperative Office Education is a capstone course designed to assist students in the development of effective business skills and attitudes through practical, advanced instruction in school and on the job through cooperative education.  Approximately half the school day is spent taking classes at school and the other half in on-the-job training supervised by the designated training sponsor and coordinated by the teacher-coordinator.  The related class at school is planned to develop skills and attitudes that are applied on the job.  A training plan is developed jointly by the teacher-coordinator, training sponsor and student that identifies training to be provided.  Training in the related class at school focuses upon the student's career and technical education, with additional assignments based upon areas where on-the-job performance indicates a need.  Related instruction also includes workplace skills such as seeking and applying for employment, communicating on the job, maintaining professionalism, workplace ethics, etc.

Current generation equipment is utilized in this course to develop information management competencies required for employment in this cluster of careers.  Instruction involves the use of simulations and computer-assisted instruction, as well as specific application software for database management, accounting, word processing, business graphics and communications between information processing systems.

Z401 INTERRELATED COOPERATIVE EDUCATION          

Course length: 1 year

Course credit: variable

Grade level: 11, 12

Interrelated Cooperative Education is designed for junior and/or senior students interested in pursuing careers in vocational occupations.  Students are released from school for their paid cooperative education work experience and participate in 200 minutes per week of related classroom instruction.  Classroom instruction focuses on providing students with job survival skills and career exploration skills related to the job and improving student’s abilities to interact positively with others.  For skills related to the job, refer to the skill development course outlines and the task list of the desired occupational program.

A qualified vocational cooperative coordinator is responsible for supervision.  Written training agreements and individual student training plans are developed and agreed upon by the employer, student and coordinator.  Occupational task lists form the basis for training plans.  The coordinator, student and employer assume compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

The course content includes the following broad areas of emphasis: further career education opportunities, planning for the future, job-seeking skills, personal development, human relationships, legal protection and responsibilities, economics and the job, organization and job termination.  In addition, classroom instruction includes technical skills as identified on occupational task lists.