Economics, Research and Passover

I had lunch today with a friend/colleague. We've known each other for a long time - I was her M.Ed advisor. Early in her career she was a Business Education teacher but more recently she has had a deep interest in Program Evaluation.

Then this evening I was visiting a friend who has been an entrepreneur in Saskatchewan for over 40 years.

In both of these situations we discussed the need to understand economics in terms of participating in the economy as consumers and employees and in terms of being an entrepreneur and creating wealth within the economy.

Basically both said that it was a no-brainer that a good understanding of economics is fundamental to operating well within any economy.

So if it is so clear to so many people why doesn't the Ministry of Education understand this????

On a research note my friend/colleague/student Rhonda Haus has finally received permission to begin her study on the Practical and Applied Arts in Regina. We are still waiting for a response from one of the school boards in Regina but the other Board has approved the study so we are beginning to collect data.

I think this study will be very revealing in terms of what is being taught and by whom. But more importantly Rhonda has the opportunity to capture teacher's attitudes towards these classes.

And on a final note - I am sick of Matzah!!

Economics and Economic Development

I was channel surfing earlier today when I came across what appeared to be a telecast of the Junior Achievement Awards dinner on our local public access channel.

I listened to a few of the announcements and honors but was most interested when the Premier Brad Wall spoke. He praised JA for assisting young people in looking at entrepreneurship and for becoming entrepreneurs.

He talked about his father and his uncle starting out in business and about his own attempts at creating businesses.

His government is focused on economic development. His rhetoric and actions are aimed at creating a sustainable and economically viable province. My guess is that his beliefs are based on the values of hard work, economic contribution, innovation and competition.

So why is there this blind spot concerning the study of economics in high schools? What entrepreneur could possibly be successful without an understanding of basic economic concepts? What consumer can use and protect their resources in ways that are of benefit to the individual and to society?

How can you have economic development without an understanding of economics?

Whenever a Business Educator speaks up about the high school economics curriculum they are told that Economics is a Social Science (implying that we should butt out). The latest example of this is a portion of a letter one of my students received from the current Minister of Education.

The economics curriculum in Saskatchewan is so outdated that it doesn't even appear on the Ministry of education's website.

In an environment where we regularly hear that as educators we need to encourage innovation, creativity and energy because of the changing economic environment, where globalisation is a fact and that we compete in a global economy why is it that it seems difficult to discuss the curriculum that directly addresses these basic concepts.

How can you have economic development - sustained or otherwise - with out economics.

For those about to reply that Economics is a Social Science (even according to economists) please notice that I, along with most business educators, couldn't care less what the designation is, rather we care that students learn this important material.

Economic Education and Business Education

A few weeks ago I attended the National Council on Economic Education/National Association of Economic Educators/Global Association of Teachers of Economics annual conference in Denver.

The conference was well attended but I am sure that there were fewer than 10 people in attendance that viewed themselves as Business Educators. The focus was clearly on university level Economics professors and secondary school economics teachers - with a passing acknowledgment of social studies education.

I find this curious.

Business is built on economic concepts. Business teachers are much better prepared to teach economics. The application of economic concepts to business and consumer problems is that students understand and can use in many aspects of their lives.

I find it interesting that a major contributor to Business Education theory and practice is the Policies Commission for Business and Economic Education. The PCBEE is supported by three organizations; the Association for Career and Technical Education/Business Education Division, Delta Pi Epsilon, and the National Business Education Association.

Curious that the NCEE/NAEE/GATE aren't a part of this process - especially when Economic Education is a visible part of the name of the organization.

The conference was good as far as conferences go - many presentations - some good - some a waste of time - many exhibitors - some good resources - some not so good.

I do encourage anyone interested in quality resources to look at the material offered by NCEE.

And I do encourage membership in GATE - its free and the potential for this organization is very good