Incorporating a Cognitive Business Model into the K-12 Curriculum for Career Exploration and Planning

• In Event: Competencies for College and Career

Abstract

Six Sigma is a cognitive business improvement model used by most Fortune 500 companies. It has been cited as one of the 50 top management innovations in the last 150 years. It is a proven, teachable, and repeatable cognitive model used worldwide for over 35 years. It only takes an internet search or having a child in school to know that the federal and state governments are putting pressure on K-12 schools to push career exploration down to elementary school and continue through graduation. This paper describes a beta program with a K-12 school that uses the Six Sigma Methodology, retitled Learning to Think… as a means for career exploration and planning from Kindergarten to beyond. High School students must develop a career plan that extends to four years post-graduation.

Authors

• Alan M. Leduc, Ball State University

• Trent McCormick, Blue River Valley Schools

• Lori Dickerson, Blue River Valley Schools