The Kansas Council on Economic Education has been improving the economics and personal finance curriculum in high schools for the last 54 years by training teachers through workshops, webinars and classes. Their mission is to provide access to resources that enhance student interest and provide practical knowledge and real-world application.

“Our vision is that every K-12 student in Kansas will become economically and financially literate,” Jim Graham, President and CEO of KCEE, said. “[Then] they will be more knowledgeable consumers, wiser savers and investors, better employees, and more responsible citizens who help avoid future economic and financial crises.”

The KCEE believes the introduction to economics and personal finance should begin in kindergarten, being incorporated into math, social sciences, family and consumer sciences and other subjects to make it more appealing to students. To help them reach students, the program has developed several interactive competitions. A favorite, the Stock Market Game, allows students to divide into groups and participate in a stock market simulation. By providing these resources for teachers, it helps them to engage student minds in life-applicable situations.

Most events are held during the summer, but the KCEE is offering a Right Start to Teaching class for area high school teachers next week.

“We usually do not charge for workshops,” Graham said. “We provide tuition assistance to enable teachers to take courses for graduate credit.”

The KCEE can do this because they are funded through several private businesses and foundations. Among the supporters for the current fiscal year are the Verizon Foundation, the Caterpillar Foundation and the Cloud L. Cray Foundation.

“We want to help others adopt dedicated courses,” Graham said. “We offer our own personal finance course that is available to all school districts in Kansas without charge.”

Graham said it is important for students to learn to distinguish between basic needs and wants. The curriculum from this program allows teachers to help students understand these ideas.

For more information or to become involved with the program, contact Jim Graham.