Wednesday, May 28, 2003
|
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 |
Economics program wins state awardThe Georgia Council on Economic Education has recognized the Fayette County School System as a leader in delivering economics instruction to its students. In the spring 2003 issue of the council's newsletter, The Word, GCEE Executive Director David Martin says that when it comes to economic education in the state, Fayette sets the standard. "Fayette is a good example of how an EconomicsAmerica school system [one that makes a commitment to integrate economics into its curriculum] can bring economics instruction to students from elementary school through graduation," he said. Every third grade student in the county, approximately 1,400, learns basic market concepts through Mini-Society, a program where students create their own society, flag, currency and job descriptions as well as develop goods and market them to other students. In fact, for its work to bring Mini-Society to each and every one of its third graders, the school system will win a Georgia Economic Education Program of Excellence Award at the Georgia Council's annual May meeting. In middle school, eighth graders study Georgia's economic history through the Georgia Economic History program and all high school economics teachers have easy access to training and curriculum materials to help students understand tough concepts before they graduate into the real world. The council credits Cathy Geis, the county's social studies coordinator and EconomicsAmerica coordinator, with developing a strong economic education program that has landed Fayette at the top of the class. "When a good new economics program comes out, Cathy wants to be sure that her teachers get it fast," said Glen Blankenship, GCEE program director. "She's always ready to schedule a workshop in Fayette for her teachers, and when we send out new materials, we know they will get to the right teachers." Geis taught high school economics for 13 years and has been Fayette's social studies coordinator for three years. She says her passion for economics comes from the fact that Georgia is usually near the top of the list in personal bankruptcy. "If we provide our students with a firm foundation in economics, they are more likely to make good economic decisions in life,' she said.
|
||