ACES 2004-2005
Teacher's Inservice Seminar Program (TIS)
The Organization
Founded in 1949, ACES is a non-profit educational organization
of individuals, business and community leaders, who believe that
the competitive enterprise system is the most effective way to
provide society with quality goods and services, economic justice
and personal opportunity.
The TIS Program
Since 1975, ACES has offered each year its Teacher
Inservice Seminar Program, designed to give educators insights into
the operations and decision-making processes of a variety of
companies prominent in their community. Teachers of all
different grade levels and disciplines have taken part as have
counselors, curriculum planners, administrators and professional
development personnel. Business participants look forward to
meetings with educators as building bridges of understanding of
economic issues with those who so importantly influence the
attitudes of young people, and as opportunities to understand and
help them meet the challenges in today's classrooms.
The TIS Program consists of the orientation conducted by ACES, eight on-site business seminars conducted by the various volunteer company participants, and the program evaluation workshop which is also conducted by ACES. The program is designated No. 93-83-120 by the MD Department of Education and approved for three inservice credits.
The TIS Opportunity
The TIS program, which has been offered by ACES since 1975,
has a proud history of benefiting educators, students, and the
business community itself.
Educators have gained first-hand knowledge of the competitive enterprise system and how it works. They have developed a better understanding of local business, the goods and services that they offer, and the impact of business on the community in which it operates.
Business people have had the rare opportunity to interact with educators who influence the young people who may become consumers, competitors, or employees in the future and who are part of the community in which businesses operate. The TIS programs have enables many businesses to involve many of their employees in a meaningful community project.
Students have benefited from their teachers' TIS program experiences. Students have received meaningful guidance from teachers whose knowledge - of the business community, of the market system, and of the opportunities they offer - extends well beyond academic walls.
The TIS Program Orientation
At orientation, educators chosen for the program complete
registration documents and a pretest that covers some of the
business issues that the program is likely to address. Teams
of nine educators each are formed, and the teams are briefed on the
individual and team responsibilities to the program including the
required project which must be completed before the program
evaluation seminar. Team leaders, chosen at the
orientation program, serve as communicators of special program
information, such as weather-related schedule changes.
The On-Site Business
Seminars
Each team reports to a schedule business site, typically at
4:30 p.m. Teams are greeted by key representatives of the
participating company. Each seminar includes informal
presentations, facility tours, question-and-answer periods, and
open discussion of issues of common concern. The host
companies provide and evening meal for the seminar participants.
Seminars are typically concluded by 9:00 p.m.
The Program Evaluation
Workshop
The final session is designed to evaluate the overall
experience. A posttest will be taken, and required program
projects will be submitted to complete the inservice credit
requirements.
The Project Requirement
Required for inservice credit is the completion of a project
related to the TIS program. Each team will submit their
project no later than the final workshop.
The project might detail an aspect of the TIS program experience that resulted in one or more of the following:
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A change in perception of the business community and/or the competitive enterprise system
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A change in the approach to, or methods or, classroom instruction
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A new awareness of community resources available for support.
Teachers will find that keeping a notebook of reactions to each business visit will be helpful in developing the project paper.
Responsibilities of
Educator Participants
The responsibilities of the educator program participants
include:
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Transportation to and from the orientation, the business sites and the final workshop session.
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Attendance at all sessions including the orientation, eight on-site business seminars, and the final workshop.
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Completion of the project requirement, and
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Completion of evaluation forms that review each business site.