The fundamental purpose of the business studies program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to achieve success in secondary school, the workplace, postsecondary education or training, and daily life. 

The goals of the business studies curriculum are to enable students to:

1. gain an understanding of business concepts through the study of subjects such as accounting, entrepreneurship, information and communication technology (ICT), international business, marketing, and business leadership;
2. achieve business, economic, financial, and digital literacy;
3. develop the skills, including critical thinking skills, and strategies required to conduct research and inquiry and communicate findings accurately, ethically, and effectively;
4. apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired through the study of business to a variety of learning tasks and relate them to business phenomena on the local, national, and global levels;
5. develop lifelong learning skills that will help them adapt to technological advancements, the changing workplace, and the global economy;
6. make connections that will help them take advantage of potential postsecondary educational, work, and business opportunities. 

These goals can be achieved in a concrete and practical context through real-world learning activities that combine the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills.

Link to Courses

Five Critical Areas of Learning in All Business Studies Courses

The business studies curriculum in Grades 9 to 12 offers a range of courses, all built on the belief that effective learning in all subjects of the discipline depends on the development of knowledge and skills in five critical areas: 1. business skills; 2. communication in a business environment; 3. digital literacy; 4. financial literacy; and 5. ethical, moral, and legal considerations in business.

1. Business skills: Knowledge and skills necessary for success in business.
   • problem solving
   • critical and creative thinking
   • employability skills
   • applications software
   • financial planning
   • entrepreneurial skills
   • leadership
   • organizational productivity 
   • risk management
   • teamwork
   • strategic planning
   • business etiquette
   • Research and inquiry
2. Communication in a business environment: Methods, technology, and standards involved in communication within and between businesses (including the use of appropriate terminology, established formats, and state-of-the-art technology). literacy skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, representing)
   
   • business terminology
   • delivery of presentations
   • formatting of documents
   • global awareness 
   • etiquette and protocols in electronic communications
   • conflict resolution 
3. Digital literacy: The ability to use digital technology, communications tools, and/or networks to access, understand, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information. 

• terminology related to ICT
  
• information systems and structures
• fundamentals of operating systems and computer hardware
• data management
• use of various software application 
• web and other electronic design
• integrated technologies 
• multimedia tools
• security related to ICT

4. Financial literacy: The ability to read, analyze, manage, and communicate financial information for personal and professional purposes. money management

• fundamentals of economics
• numeracy skills
• credit
• financial decision making
• analysis of financial documents
• investment
• taxation

5. Ethical, moral, and legal considerations in business: The understanding and/or determination of social environmental consequences of business practices on the local, national, and global levels. 

• principles and guidelines for ethical business practice
• privacy issues
• social responsibility
• equity and diversity
• professional standards 
• responsibility for environmental consequences and sustainability
• accountability
• intellectual property 

Teachers

Reference:

Ministry of Education (2006). Business Studies: The Ontario Curriculum, Grade 9-12. Retrieved from https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/curriculum/business-studies