HOUSTON- The Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas indicate that 78 percent of Houston-area teens surveyed believe that entrepreneurial skills should be taught in college or earlier—and 48 percent polled felt that during grades K-12 was the best time to learn entrepreneurial skills.  The “Junior Achievement Teens and Entrepreneurship Poll” defined entrepreneurial skills as “taking the initiative and assuming risk to create value for the company or business, either as an owner of your own business or in your place of work.”
The local survey also found that 63 percent of Houston-area teens would like to start their own businesses.  However, perhaps reflecting the current challenging economic climate, 84 percent felt it would be “difficult but possible” or “somewhat challenging” to do so. These findings underscore the need for more widespread entrepreneurship education in schools, so that students are better equipped with skills such as leadership, problem solving and critical thinking, which increasingly are seen as keys to success in today’s global, knowledge-based economy.While schools might not be adequately addressing the topic, business leaders agree that entrepreneurship adds value to the workplace. 
For more information, email khattery@jahouston.org