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Survey of the States 2009: The State of Economic, Financial and Entrepreneurship Education in our Nation's Schools
On December 3rd, 2009, the Council for Economic Education released its biennial Survey of the States 2009: The State of Economic, Financial and Entrepreneurship Education in our Nation's Schools via an online web-conference. Conference Participants included Joseph Peri, Acting President and CEO of the Council for Economic Education; Dr. William B. Walstad, John T. and Mable M. Hay Professor of Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Michael Holmes, Operations Vice President, Northeast Region, State Farm Insurance Companies. What is the Survey of the States? The Survey of the States is a bi-annual report that documents the state of economic, personal finance and entrepreneurship education in the fifty states (and the District of Columbia), conducted by the Council for Economic Education and sponsored by State Farm Insurance Companies. This report on the state of economic, personal finance, and entrepreneurship education presents summary findings as well as state-by-state detail using maps and tables. Are We Gaining Momentum, or Losing Ground, in the Quest for Economic and Financial Education in our Nation's Schools? Data collected for the 2009 Survey suggest a continued and growing commitment - among policymakers, administrators and educators - to the teaching of economics and personal finance in our nation's schools. While progress continues to be made, however, much more work still needs to be done in terms of placing a greater emphasis on economics and personal finance in the K-12 curriculum; requiring separate, stand-alone courses in these subjects as part of high school graduation requirements; and testing student knowledge levels. In recent years, as more states focus on personal finance education along with economic education, there appears to be greater overlap among the two separate, but related subjects, in terms of requirements and course offerings. Many states are adopting a "hybrid approach" whereby economics and personal finance content is taught together. A Snapshot of the Key Findings:
Why is the Survey of the States Important? The recent economic downturn has brought nationwide attention to the dangers of an economically and financially illiterate society. Now more than ever, policy makers, business leaders, media figures, educators and parents are demanding that their children graduate from school with an understanding of basic economic and financial concepts. The Survey of the States is the only report of its kind that gauges the commitment to economic, financial and entrepreneurship education in the states. It shows which states are responding to the issue, and which need continued advocacy efforts. CEE and State Farm Insurance Companies: Partners in K-12 Economic and Personal Financial Literacy: "The CEE and its long-time partner, the State Farm Insurance Companies, are working together to promote a national dialogue about the importance of K-12 economic and financial literacy - and the Survey of the States is a vital tool that can be used to facilitate that dialogue," said Joseph Peri, Acting President and CEO of the CEE at the conclusion of the press conference. Michael Holmes, Operations Vice President, Northeast Region, State Farm Insurance Companies, speaking on behalf of the company, which sponsors the Survey, agreed, stating that State Farm "actively supports efforts to ensure all children have access to a quality education that will allow them to achieve their greatest potential. As a corporate citizen and a concerned community partner, we will continue working with the Council for Economic Education to help our children achieve the financial security they deserve." Press Contact: Benjamin Lewis, Perception, Inc., 301-963-7555 For more information about the CEE please contact Renee Colombo, VP for Resource Development, 212-730-5658.
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