Exploring the New K–12 National Standards in Economics

To wrap up Economic Education Month, the Council for Economic Education hosted a conversation about the updated National Content Standards for K–12 Economics. The discussion brought together CEE CEO Steve Bumbaugh, Dr. Bill Bosshardt from Florida Atlantic University, and Elena Zee, President and CEO of the Arizona Council on Economic Education.

Dr. Bosshardt explained that this third edition of the standards is a complete update rather than a light revision. The new version is organized to better reflect how teachers introduce economic ideas in the classroom. It includes 18 main topics, covering concepts such as scarcity, decision-making, markets, government, and broader issues like growth and fiscal policy.

Among the changes are new sections on technology and its influence on innovation and productivity, a more explicit focus on international trade, and updated information on the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy management.

Elena Zee shared how the standards support curriculum writers, state education departments, and teachers across the country. She noted that keeping the content current helps students connect what they learn in class to the world around them.

Together, the speakers encouraged educators to use the revised standards as a guide for helping students understand how the economy works and why it matters in their everyday lives.

About the Council for Economic Education

The Council for Economic Education’s (CEE’s) mission is to equip K–12 students with the tools and knowledge of personal finance and economics so that they can make better decisions for themselves, their families and their communities. We carry out our mission in three ways. We advocate to require financial and economic education in every state. We provide training, tools and resources — online and live through over 180 affiliates nationwide — to more than 40,000 teachers annually, who in turn bring the highest quality economics and personal finance instruction to over 4 million students. We deepen knowledge and introduce high school students to critical career capabilities through our national competitions and Invest in Girls program. Learn more at CouncilForEconEd.org and on LinkedIn and on Facebook.

Media contact: 

CEE: press@councilforeconed.org