For more information, contact Cindy Young, (937) 775-3232.

May 26, 1999

WSU CENTER FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION
HELPS K-12 TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Money holds its value well in times of inflation. True or false?

Fewer than two out of five adults knew the correct answer was false in a recent survey sponsored by the National Council on Economic Education. The Council found that although Americans believe an understanding of economics is important, half of all American adults and two out of three American high school students get a failing grade when tested on their understanding of economics. Yet only 13 states require students take an economics course before graduation. Ohio is not one of them.

Wright State University’s Center for Economic Education has been a pioneer in increasing the economic literacy of Ohio’s students and adults. Through Internet courses for teachers and programs for students, the Center works to improve economic literacy in 15 Ohio counties.

If you don’t know where you fit in the economy, you’ll probably get left behind,”says Roger Sylvester, director of Wright State’s Center for Economic Education. The Center works with school districts in the 15-county area to provide programs that help K-12 instructors teach economics.

The Center offers online courses providing K-12 teachers a better understanding of economic ideas, along with guidance to economics resources available on the Internet. These courses also help teachers present ideas covered on Ohio’s proficiency exams.

Another online course, Economics in Action: What Every Consumer Should Know,” helps educators teach topics benefitting consumers. These students don’t attend class or read from a textbook. Instead, they get assignments from the Center’s home page, visit web sites and send their responses to the instructor by e-mail. Topics covered include comparing mortgages, buying a home or automobile, Ohio’s Lemon Law, examining warranties, and investments.

In cooperation with Smith Barney, Inc., in Dayton, the Center coordinates the Stock Market Game in the 15-county region. The Stock Market Game simulates the world of finance and investing for high school and middle school students. Nationwide, more than 300,000 students in 44 states play the game for 10 weeks each fall and spring.

Just as reading has been defined as fundamental, in my view, economics is the core to understanding the forces affecting our lives in a rapidly changing and uncertain global environment,” said John T. Dillon, chairman and CEO of International Paper Company. Dillon is also volunteer chair of the National Council on Economic Education.

For more information on WSU’s Center for Economic Education, contact Sylvester at (937) 775-2322.

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