Why Is Economics Education Important?

Dear Editor,

October is Economics Education Month – A time to promote the importance of economic education and to help all students understand how economic decisions and policies affect their lives, their communities, the state of Montana, and the world.

Governor Gianforte recognizes October as Economics Education Month with a Proclamation noting Econ Ed equips students with invaluable skills and tools to help ensure they are well rounded and well prepared to thrive and achieve their American dream.

The Montana Council for Economic Education's (MCEE) mission is to empower Montana's youth by improving their economic and financial decision-making. MCEE's vision is to improve the quality of life for current and future generations through better public and private decision-making.

MCEE brings its programs to the classroom with experiential learning simulations in entrepreneurship and investing. The Council also hosts state competitions with the Montana Economics Challenge where Montana's winning team competes regionally for a chance to travel to New York City for the National Economics Challenge.

MCEE is proud to have reached 3,690 students last year with 94 teacher partnerships across 80 Montana schools. We are motivated to increase our impact by expanding our programs to new communities, particularly schools that are under-served or lack the resources for dedicated economics instruction.

The field of economics examines the ways in which choices are made and shows us that incentives and trade-offs drive choice in rational and predictable ways. When armed with economic principles, Montanans consider opportunity costs when making decisions that can impact their lives. There is momentum in Montana with the recent Board of Public Education's update to graduation requirements that will now include a half credit of economics or personal finance for all graduates by July 2025. Now is the time you can get involved.

We encourage you to learn more in supporting these important life skills by partnering with MCEE at http://www.econedmontana.org, emailing [email protected], or visiting with your school district, administrators, or teachers to ensure high-quality economic education is available in your community.

Sincerely,

Montana Council For Economic Education

Helena, Mont.

Editor's Note: Upon submission of this Letter, Dax Shiffer, of Montana Council for Economic Education, stated "Fortunately we see good econ and personal finance in the Glasgow Schools."