Mission Statement

The mission of the WBE.NET Global Internet Trade Course for Students is to capture the interest of the students and increase their knowledge of basic school studies.

The course strives to inspire and empower students with a trade and solid business skills that can be used immediately in the real world following graduation. It allows students to work in teams, to learn how to identify, evaluate, and participate in import / export opportunities. The goal is to make the student a success, not a statistic!

Such innovative curriculum is non-existent at most K-12 schools throughout America, and especially lacking within our low-income communities. This course provides new skills and possibilities that throw open the doors of success for all students.

The four-semester Global Internet Trade Course for Students was adapted from data and resources provided by The World Business Exchange Network (www.wbe.net) an international trade association on the Internet founded in 1987. The program was then accredited by the Los Angeles Unified School District and donated by the World Business Exchange along with free student access to the website and its massive database of buyers and sellers of products worldwide through The Reis Foundation a non-profit organization.

The WBE.NET Global Internet Trade Course for Students has been instrumental in turning former gang members and other disadvantaged youths into model students. The program motivates these students by integrating their knowledge of basic school studies such as grammar, history, economics, and math, while teaching them the fundamentals of entrepreneurship e-commerce and international trade.

During the course the Student are taught how to establish and operate their own import/export businesses online. They learn about the importance of world trade on the US and global economy; about cultural differences; market research; power point presentations; how to cooperatively work in a group; business ethics letters of credit, goal-setting and problem solving. Students are also taken out of the textbook and into the real world visiting shipping and other trade sites to enhance the learning experience.

When the course was first installed in February 1998 at Alain Leroy Locke High School in Los Angeles, the school was among the 100 Worst School in Los Angeles. Following the course the school reported a dramatic upgrade in student attendance grades self- esteem and behavior. Today Locke High School is considered one of the most progressive schools in the nation.

Since then sponsor support from companies like the California State Lottery has helped bring the WBE.NET course to both low-income and affluent schools across the country, including King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine & Science Mid-City Charter Magnet School (K12), Crenshaw High School, Men’s Central Juvenile Hall, David Starr Jordan High School, Highland High School in Sacramento and COBA Saturday Success Academy.