Contests
THE CCEE CAPITAL MARKETS CONTEST
The California Council on Economic Education has hosted the Capital Market Contest since 2003. High school students, who have participated in the Stock Market Simulation, enter the next phase of the competition, which consists of an essay and an oral presentation based on the current status of the U.S. stock market. The Capital Market Contest is a local competition for high school economics students. Its purpose is to promote interest in economic education, honor high achieving students and showcase outstanding high school economics programs. The Capital Market Contest combines the excitement of an athletic competition and the pride of academic excellence. In this contest, 10 teams of 4 students use the knowledge they have attained regarding economic indicators and their influence on the financial markets to write a team essay and present their findings to a panel of judges. The top 3 teams are rewarded with cash prizes, trophies, along with a trip to NYC for the top team. The program is composed of 3 sections.
NATIONAL ECONOMICS CHALLENGE
The ProblemStudents don’t understand economic reasoning and they don’t know how the U.S. economy works in a world of global competition. In a national test of economic literacy, 54% or our high school students failed and the mean score was 46%. The implications of this situation are serious for our students and for our economy. Students who don’t understand the role of profit and competition tend to picture themselves as victims of all-powerful corporate conglomerates. Victims lose a sense of responsibility for their own achievements. Without an understanding of the connection between skills and high-paying jobs, students fail to develop the necessary marketable skills to survive and prosper. “It is difficult to play the game, and impossible to win if you don’t know the rules.” Our students don’t know the rules.
