Advocacy Toolkit
Economic Education Month promotes the importance of teaching economics in our schools. This makes it the perfect time to launch a month-long advocacy campaign. The goal of such a campaign would be to increase awareness about the needs for economic education and to coordinate communications with decision makers. Economic education gives you the tools to make informed decisions for yourself, your family, and your community. It is essential we give young people in particular the tools they need to succeed in post-graduation because they are the future!
The Council for Economic Education’s 2024 Survey of the States found that 28 states had an economic education requirement. The number of states requiring that students study economics to graduate from high school has increased by three states since the 2022 Survey of the States. This increase is due more so to administrative changes than it is to legislation, with some states reworking their social studies curriculum to increase the economic concepts that must be taught.
This #EconEdMonth we need to make sure your states understand how important standalone economic requirements are for K-12 curriculum. We believe that economic thinking is a core skill—one that’s necessary for understanding the world and making better decisions in it. Students who study economics develop strong analytic and problem-solving skills, along with business acumen needed to succeed in the professional world. By imparting upon students an awareness of incentives and how they impact decisions – from ‘big picture’ macroeconomic decisions that drive public policy down to daily choices about how we as individuals allocate our scarce resources –we empower young adults to be more productive, more civically engaged and better equipped to participate in productive discourse. Use our toolkit to urge your representatives to prioritize creating standalone economic education requirements!
Why study economics?
Economics affects all of our lives. It teaches us to think logically, use data smartly, and develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills. It helps explain choices as small as your personal day-to-day decisions and as large as foreign policy decisions. Read more about the value of studying economics here.
This #EconEdMonth let’s remind people why economics is just as important as personal finance. Economics provides the context and circumstances that people need to understand in order to make sound financial decisions. Tell your representative why an economics requirement is needed in your state!
Build awareness for #EconEdMonth
Be sure to engage with #EconEdMonth posts on social media and tag @CouncilEconEd so we can celebrate each other’s successes during Econ Ed Month and beyond! Spreading the word about economics will encourage others to join the cause.