OVERVIEW & HISTORY:

With nearly a 70-year history, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals since it was founded in 1946. Their strong connection with our organization has resonated into a brand that people identify as a remarkable experience in the preparation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. DECA’s programs and activities have constantly evolved as we use the latest technology and apply cutting edge educational research. Our core focus has remained consistent and is captured in our mission.  In 1947, when DECA began, DECA was an acronym that stood for Distributive Education Clubs of America.  While no longer, an acronym, DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in Marketing, Management, Hospitality and Finance.

DECA is an international organization made up of individual Chartered Associations.  While advised by adult advisors, on both the individual school as well as the state level, it is a high school business organization composed of thousands of young people. Here in New Jersey, as the 8th largest association in DECA, we have over 150 registered chapters that make up over 11,000 members. Led by their advisor/teacher, there is a hierarchy of leadership within each school/chapter, and each year at a state-wide conference the student members of NJ DECA elect a group of state officers that act as the student leadership for all of the chapters within the state.

Student members of DECA compete at different competitions throughout the school year on the local, state and even national levels. However, DECA is more than just competitions.  DECA is a multi-faceted organization that focuses on integrating into classroom instruction, applying learning, connecting to business and promoting competition..

One of the programs that the NJ DECA membership takes on each year is a community service/ fundraising project.  With a stated goal of $35,000, the NJ DECA State Officer team will provide leadership to the individual NJ DECA chapters and members in conducting and participating in local fundraising events culminating with a presentation to our project partner in June.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF NEW JERSEY DECA?

If you are, there are a few things you should know about the program here in New Jersey.  Chartered as a State Association by DECA, Inc., New Jersey DECA is the only body authorized to establish local chapters within individual NJ schools. New Jersey DECA is a sanctioned Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), and is funded by a grant from the State of New Jersey, which is administered by Kean University.   Per the NJ Department of Education, NJ DECA is a co-curricular activity with the DECA activities integrated into a student’s marketing, business, hospitality, management, entrepreneurship or business finance class. As such, classroom activities are designed to help develop leadership and social skills in preparation for not only the DECA competitive event programs, but for life after high school.

Each NJ DECA member (student and advisor) is required to pay yearly dues of $20.  $8 of that are National DECA dues, with the remaining $12 going towards NJ DECA dues.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

DECA is fun.  It’s competitive.  It’s rewarding.  It’s an organization that promotes networking and social interaction, and it’s an insight into the world of business.  Whether you are a student, teacher or school administrator, there is something positive that you can derive from being part of DECA.   

WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE TEACHER?

Simply, DECA brings your classroom to life and gives you the tools to promote your program, enrich your classroom using instructional tools, extend learning beyond the classroom and enhance your teaching skills.

• DECA can help attract your ideal students.
• DECA brings visibility for your program.
• DECA connects you with a network of 5,000 teachers with similar interests and course assignments.
• DECA’s business partners provide local, state and international assistance.
• Learn how you can Be a Hero by becoming an Advisor.

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program is also designed to help you:

• Align you curriculum with national curriculum standards.
• Integrate activities that teach or reinforce specific career and academic standards.
• Engage your students in a small learning community and provide opportunities for leadership.
• Facilitate career preparation and goal setting among your students.
• Involve business leaders in various advisory roles and integrate the use of business leaders into classroom activities.
• Develop business-based opportunities for students such as internships, field trips and projects.
• Provide support for students to practice their management and leadership skills by incorporating project management into the curriculum.
• Communicate curriculum standards and the value of involvement in DECA to counselors and administrators to build support for your classes and program.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE STUDENTS?

During the past 65 years, DECA has positively impacted countless students along the way of their educational process to make them college and career ready.

• DECA annually provides over $300,000 in scholarships and awards to DECA members.
• DECA’s Competitive Events Program provides opportunities for achievement and recognition.
• DECA makes learning engaging and enjoyable because it brings learning to life. View our promotional video to see DECA members in action and hear from them how DECA changes lives and makes classroom learning so much more enjoyable.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE SCHOOL?

DECA strives to be on the cutting edge of educational reform by integrating innovative and current best practices into its Comprehensive Learning Program.

• DECA’s Competitive Events Program is aligned with national curriculum standards in the career clusters of marketing, finance, hospitality, and business management.
• DECA helps the school by helping its students focus on college and careers.
• DECA chapter activities, such as community service and competitive events, bring positive visibility to the school within the community. View our high school programs page to see how
  DECA connects to your curriculum and supports academic achievement.
• For more information, please see our information on supporting educational initiatives.

Competitive Events

There is a competition component to DECA.  Not totally unlike certain athletic competitions, the student members of DECA compete at different business-related academic competitions throughout the school year on the regional, state and even national levels. Compete, and do well at a regional competition and you qualify for the state competition.  Compete, and do well at the State competition and you get to compete at the International Career Development Conference.

For additional insight into the DECA Competitive Events Program go to our competitive events page.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Please review the Items to Consider page on our site for a detailed look at who can be DECA members, and what the role of an advisor is.

WHO DO I CONTACT WITH MORE QUESTIONS?

• After you have read through this information, you may have additional questions.  If so, please contact the NJ DECA State Advisor, Dr. Jeff Victor, via email at jvictor@njdeca.org, or call him on the telephone at (908) 737-4182.
• Debbie Taylor is the point of contact at DECA for working with new chapters and new advisors. However, please remember that the decision to establish chapters lies with the State Advisor.  E-mail her at debbie@deca.org or call her at (703) 860-5000.
• All NJ DECA information can be found on our website at njdeca.org.   Additional information is available on the National DECA website, DECA.org
• New Jersey DECA follows the policies and guidelines set forth by the NJ Department of Education.  As a result, while reading through the material available from both national DECA and NJ DECA, you might find some differences.  In those cases, NJ DECA policies prevail.