what is it?

Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics was first published by the CEE in 1997 and quickly became an essential tool informing economic education. We are pleased to announce that through a thoughtful process involving many distinguished economists we are publishing the VNCSE, 2010, the second edition. As in the original publication, there are 20 economics content standards. Each standard is an essential principle of economics that an economically literate student should know and a statement of what the student should be able to do with that knowledge at grades 4, 8, and upon graduating from high school. This knowledge includes the most important and enduring ideas, concepts, and issues in economics.

who is it for?

The standards were written so that teachers, curriculum specialists, authors, assessment professionals, economic education advocates, researchers and the general public can see the necessary economic concepts that a high school graduate should know. Understanding each standard and its accompanying benchmarks is essential for citizenship, employment, and life-long learning of economics. The Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics will continue to play a central role in helping the typical high school graduate grapple with the ordinary business of life.

These national content standards for pre-college economics education make it easier to incorporate the powerful fundamental principles of economics into elementary and secondary school curricula. They are offered as a resource for states and local school districts, individual schools, teachers, test developers, and other education professionals who are responsible for specifying, integrating, and assessing the curriculum in their schools.

how do I use it?

• View the Standards
  View the 20 Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics and find related online lessons for each one.
• Download Standards in PDF format
  Save a complete version of the National Voluntary Content Standards in Economics to your computer. (Requires Adobe Acrobat.)
• View the Preface to the 2nd edition of the standards.
  Read about the process of revising the standards, how the standards have been used, and a general summary of the changes that were made from the 1st edition. (Requires Adobe Acrobat.)