Take five minutes and get a comprehensive overview of unemployment in America through an economist’s eyes.

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has launched a new resource for educators and the public entitled “Economics In Person.”

The series is designed to bring the expertise of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s economists to the Web through a series of short presentations highlighting interesting areas of research in economics and the U.S. economy.

The SF Fed will be releasing two additional segments over the next couple of weeks. View Mary Daly, Associate Director of Research and Group Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, discussing the impact of the Great Recession on U.S. employment.

“Economic education is just as important as learning how to read and write.” — Thomas M. Hoenig, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

William Coffin, CCEE Chairman

On behalf of the tens of thousands of California students who benefited from our teacher training programs and curriculum offerings in 2011, I would like to thank you for your support and your contributions.

CCEE agrees wholeheartedly with Tom Hoenig that
– economic and financial literacy is as critical a life skill as reading and writing.

Our mission is to help young people develop skills and knowledge they can use all their lives as workers, parents, consumers, investors and citizens

The most efficient and cost-effective way to reach large numbers of students is by improving the skill sets of teachers and by providing classroom-ready economics and financial literacy curriculum resources for the immediate use.

I am very proud that during 2011:  

• We provided 5,000 hours of teacher training to 1,500 teachers.
• These teachers collectively impact over 100,000 California students each year.

Our job is not complete

As we gradually emerge from the depths of the worst recession since the Great Depression, it is more important than ever for our students, parents and teachers to have a solid foundation in good decision making and a workable understanding of the financial “rules of the game” to function in this complex global economy.

This year we will set about on our most ambitious agenda of growth and change in CCEE’s history, through:  

• Teacher training 
• Program portfolio expansion
• Integrated assessment and use of technology

With your help, 2012 will be a banner year for the teachers and students of California as they build, learn and teach about the economy and financial decision making.

My thanks and appreciation for all that you have contributed during the last year to advance the mission of CCEE.  

Together, what we are doing is worth doing, and is making a difference.

Sincerely,
William Coffin
CCEE Chairman of the Board

We all make financial decisions everyday, yet most students are never taught the best way to evaluate options and make sound choices. 

Get everyone involved and take the challenge. It only takes a few minutes!

Today’s student faces a fast-paced, dynamic economy and needs a solid financial education to succeed.

National Financial Capability Challenge, sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Education, runs March 12 through April 13, 2012.

The Challenge is a free, online series of financial questions for high school students to test their knowledge of earning, spending, saving, borrowing, risk protection, and more.

You can sign up now to join the growing number of educators engaging their students in this challenge. Registration is easy and free at challenge.treas.gov. As educators, it is critically important to use this opportunity to help prepare our students for financial independence!

Get started now:

• Download PDF for detailed information, or
• Register today at challenge.treas.gov

Students in the Regional Occupational Program’s Banking and Finance Occupations class at Downey High School won first place in the 2010 MoneyWiseTeen state competition.

The winning Downey High School team, MoneyWiseTeen Contest

California Council on Economic Education’s MoneyWiseTeen Program and Contest offer students 10 online lessons to use throughout the year. At the end of the school year, students are prepared to compete in the MoneyWiseTeen Contest.

The U.S Treasury says Americans hold about $15 billion in loose change.

Those pennies add up quickly when you start saving!

Sign up your youth group, classroom or child to participate in America Saves Week.

Their site is loaded with savings tips, quiz, checklist and facts about saving money.

About America Saves

America Saves is a national campaign involving more than 1,000 non-profit, government, and corporate groups that encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth. Overall management for the campaign is provided by the non-profit Consumer Federation of America (CFA). CFA is comprised of over 270 consumer education, advocacy, and cooperative organizations dedicated to advancing the consumer interest.

MoneyWiseTeen: no cost, online program teaches teens about finances

Online economic literacy program, free to students and teachers

Visit CCEE’s financial literacy program for teens, MoneyWiseTeen and access their 10-lesson, online program to teach teens how to handle their finances and make sound life decisions.