JA Inspire^® Entry

Middle School

Implementation:
Classroom Based
After School

Pillars of Student Success

Work Readiness High Work Readiness

Financial Literacy Minimal Financial Literacy

Entrepreneurship Minimal Entrepreneurship

JA Inspire® Entry is more than a career fair. It brings together the business community and local schools and is designed to help launch middle school students into their future - high school, postsecondary education, and careers beyond. The program consists of three segments: (1) pre-event career-oriented sessions; (2) the JA Inspire event, and (3) a post-event reflection. The JA Inspire event (in-person, virtual, or both) provides students a powerful way to learn about real-world career opportunities and their local economy.

JA Inspire in-person events are multi-hour experiences where students interact with company representatives and participate in hands-on activities, often using equipment or tools used on the job. VFairs, the online interactive platform used to host JA Inspire virtual events, provides a visually rich virtual environment that mimics the dynamics of a physical live event. Here students attend webinars and presentations, explore company exhibits, and interact with company representatives.

Following participation in JA Inspire Entry, students will be able to:

-- Gain insight into career clusters that interest them.
-- Make connections with adults who have jobs in careers that interest them.
-- See the connection between high school programming choices and careers.
-- Collect information about the education required to be successful in a job.
-- Practice soft skills.

JA Inspire Entry is part of the JA Work and Career Readiness Pathway and is recommended for middle school students (grades 6-8). It has multiple curriculum implementation options: fully teacher-led, fully self-guided, or hybrid with classroom introductions and talking points for all self-guided sessions. A Spanish translation is available.

As part of this program, JA teachers and volunteers are encouraged to use the resources available in JA Connect®, located at https://connect.ja.org/. This self-guided experience includes interactives, exploration of JA Here to Career, and apps for student use.

JA programs support national and state standards in reading, mathematics, social studies, and work and career readiness. See below for more information on alignment with national and state standards.

Program Resources

Alignment with State and National Standards

Common Core Standards

For those states that follow common core standards, Junior Achievement's curricula have been reviewed for alignment with these standards! Learn more by selecting the appropriate grade level below.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

National Standards

While educational standards are determined primarily at the state level, many national standards serve as guidelines for the development of these state standards. See how Junior Achievement curricula align with the national standards listed below.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

State Standards

Junior Achievement curricula are created to align with state standards. To see how our programs align with your state's standards, explore the options below.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

Scope and Sequence

Junior Achievement learning experiences cover financial literacy, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Our extensive scope and sequence helps explain how our programs cover these subjects at various grade levels.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

Request a Presenter to Teach Curriculum

A Junior Achievement Volunteer teaches students

Junior Achievement lessons are delivered by volunteers from the community. These presenters are prepared by JA to facilitate engaging learning activities that focus on financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. This results in an enriched learning experience that helps students make the connection between what they learn in school and the world outside the classroom.

Steps to Request a Presenter

1) Request Info

Once youve decided to have a JA volunteer in your classroom, fill out the form on this website. You will receive information on next steps.

2) Pick Schedule

You will be able to coordinate a schedule that works for your class either online or in conjunction with a JA representative.

3) Meet Presenter

Once a volunteer is identified for your class, JA will connect you with the presenter to discuss roles, expectations, and logistics.

4) Empower Students with Standards-Based Education

After all details are in place, the JA volunteer will deliver lessons to your students either virtually or in-person.

Request Information about this Learning Experience

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