NCEE eNewsletter Vol. 4, No. 7

2008 Annual Conference Brings National Attention to the Importance of Teaching Economics and Personal Finance in our Nation's Schools

Educating the educators was the main purpose behind the 2008 Annual Conference of the National Council on Economic Education (NCEE), National Association of Economic Educators (NAEE) and the Global Association of Teachers of Economics (GATE).

Sponsored this year by State Farm® and hosted by the NCEE affiliate, the Mississippi Council on Economic Education, one of the fastest growing and most productive state councils in the nation, this Annual Conference is the largest nationwide conference focused on crucial issues confronting K-12 economic educators today. Over 500 economic educators, thought-leaders, and teachers from across the U.S. and around the globe convened in Biloxi, Mississippi on October 8th through the 11th to share success stories, look at new material, and address common issues.

"As economic concerns move from Wall Street to Main Street, the means for gaining long-term economic stability must move from boardrooms to classrooms. We urgently need well-prepared teachers at all grade levels who can get the basics of our economic system into the heads and hands of our young people while they are in school - that is, before it is too late," said Robert Duvall, President & CEO of NCEE.

The four-day conference offered a much-needed gathering place for K-12 teachers, university economic educators, and economics and finance education advocates, who recognize that the responsibility to cultivate economic and financial literacy belongs to each and all of us. The necessary foundation is in K-12 education. "Integrating economics and personal finance education into schools' core curriculum is the NCEE's priority. To do this effectively requires additional training and resources for teachers. With the current economic volatility, the value of economic and financial education has never been higher or more important," said Duvall.

The 2008 conference featured:

• The latest in curriculum development, instructional materials, teaching strategies, new programs and best practices.
• Professional development workshops and sessions for K-12 teachers.
• Outstanding speakers on current economic topics.
• Networking opportunities for economic educators and K-12 teachers, and others with an interest in the field.

Not only established education experts and K-12 educators attended, but guest speakers from the highest levels of government, business and the financial community addressed the conference. This year's conference speakers included Thad Cochran, Senior United States Senator from Mississippi; Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi; Dr. Hank Bounds, Mississippi State Superintendent of Education; and Tim McFadden, Senior Vice President, Southern Zone Executive Office, State Farm®. All of these distinguished speakers called for intensified action to carry out the NCEE's mission at a time when it is needed more than ever.

To find out more about the 2008 conference, visit http://www.ncee.net/conference/

Questions or comments on the content of this eNewsletter should be directed to Ms. Naheed Elyasi at nelyasi@ncee.net.

To read archived eNewsletters, go to http://www.ncee.net/news.

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