Jackson students learning about business

Local school districts are making their mark with innovative programs that make their students among the highest-achieving students in the state.

Most recently we heard from Jackson School District, which is combining elementary school students' fascination with teenagers' creativity.

Educators there hope the result is business acumen.

The program is at North Elementary School, where students in the Future Business Leaders of America group at Jackson High School visit regularly to help fifth-graders learn about marketing, customer service, advertising and business models.

The youngsters are creating businesses in their social studies classes. They made commercials that promote the business and put out practical information, like location and hours of operation. They have to keep the business solvent and, they hope, win the award for best business at the program's end.

It's the third year for Jackson students to pair up in this fashion, but it shouldn't be the last. Getting children thinking about business assures another generation of the entrepreneurs who will be tomorrow's business leaders.