TCEE Announces Economics Challenge Fall 2009 Qualifiers

Congratulations to all of the students and teachers that participated in the Fall 2009 Texas Economics Challenge. The Fall Challenge was conducted during the week of 11/30/2009 through 12/4/2009 across the state. There will be a Spring 2010 Challenge during the week of 3/29/2010 through 4/2/2010 with registration beginning on 1/18/2010.

The following Economics Challenge teams qualified for the Texas state finals to be help in Austin, TX on April 13, 2010. Listings in bold denote the highest score from their region. Click on the image to see the full list.



About the Economics Challenge
The Council for Economic Education National Economics Challenge is a state, regional and national competition for high school students designed to increase their understanding of and interest in economics and trade. Every year the Texas Council on Economic Education, with support from the Council for Economic Education, hosts the Economics Challenge Program.

The Challenge is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of Economic Literacy by competing with other students across the state in written and "Quiz Bowl" examinations.

Teachers and Students throughout Texas are able to participate regardless of travel or budgetary constraints. The Texas Council on Economic Education absorbs the cost of team fees through a variety of grants. In the first (divisional Fall and Spring) round, each team of up to FOUR students in two divisions will complete online exams that cover topics in macro, micro and international economics. Students compete in teams for a chance advance to the state finals in Austin, to win prizes and a trip to New York City to compete in the national finals.

Laura Ewing Appointed President of the Texas Council on Economic Education

The Texas Council on Economic Education is pleased to announce that Laura Ewing has been appointed as the President and CEO of the Texas Council on Economic Education. This appointment is effective November 1, 2009. Ms. Ewing was chosen after a nationwide search and has a proven track record of supporting Texas teachers in economic education in leadership roles in both teaching and in a supervisory capacity. Ms. Ewing succeeds the retiring Tim Shaunty who will assist with the transition until December 31, 2009 when he begins his retirement.

Ms. Ewing has over 24 years of experience in the classroom and brings a wide background of applying economic education in Texas. She has been a teacher in Houston ISD, Spring ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Fort Bend ISD and Clear Creek ISD. In addition, she has been a Curriculum Specialist for Pearland ISD as well as an Adjunct Professor and University of Houston – Clear Lake.

Ms. Ewing holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies from the University of Houston. Her extensive experience and dedication to forwarding economic education in Texas makes her an excellent choice to lead the Texas Council into the future. Under her leadership, the TCEE will continue its mission to establish a nation of individuals who possess the knowledge and skills to make informed economic decisions.

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Ewing.

Record Number of Students Registered for Fall Texas Stock Market Game

The Texas Council on Economic Education is thrilled to announce that 5, 836 teams made up of just over 22,300 students are participating across the state this fall in this exciting online investment simulation. Students from grades 4 through 12 develop personal finance skills related to savings and investing as they learn & apply academic skills in economics, math, language arts and technology. An online Teacher Support Center and teacher training make it easy for teachers to implement the program in their classroom.

One SMG teacher expressed, “Playing the SMG last year was great fun for my classes and me! I feel that my students learned so much, and I know I did. After 34 years of teaching, it was nice to be excited about something new.”

The SMG includes a competition that awards prizes to the top performing teams. The Fall session runs from September 28 through December 4, 2009. The next session runs from February 8 through April 16, 2010. Teacher training for the Spring competition will be offered in January. The SMG is available to all Texas teachers and students in grades 4 through 12 at no cost in most areas. Team fees are covered by generous regional sponsors. Check with Debbie Mackey to check eligibility for your school.

For more information:
Visit www.economicstexas.org and click on the Stock Market Game link or contact Debbie at mackeysmg@aol.com or 1 888 764 8233.


About The Stock Market Game
The Stock Market Game is an educational program of the SIFMA Foundation. Since 1977, nearly 12 million students have participated in The Stock Market Game. To learn more about the SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game and its financial literacy programs for adults visit: www.sifma.org/education

Susan Guy from Aldine ISD and Tim Shaunty Receive Awards

(October 20, 2009) Susan Guy from Hill Intermediate EXCEL Academy-Aldine ISD, in Houston, Texas was presented with the John Morton Excellence in the Teaching of Economics Award by the Global Association of Teachers of Economics (GATE), a program of the Council for Economic Education (CEE). Ms. Guy formally received the award at the CEE 2009 Annual Conference held in Washington D.C. on October 8, 2009.

Susan Guy attended Louisiana Tech University earning both her Bachelors of Arts in Education with a minor in Social Studies and Masters of Arts in Counseling. She has taught in public schools for 19 years, and currently teaches fifth and sixth grade economics.

Her achievements have included being awarded the National Leavey Award for Entrepreneurship, 2007 and the Texas Elementary Economic Teacher of the Year, 2008.

Susan has been a member of the Houston Chronicle’s Education Advisory Board and was chosen to be the “face” for their current ad campaign.

“I enjoy giving each of my students the opportunity to learn how they can be successful in business and their personal lives through becoming knowledgeable at an early age about various economic concepts,” said Ms. Guy.

The awards were started in 2005 and named to honor one of the leading figures in the development of economic education. The John Morton Excellence in the Teaching of Economics Awards recognize excellence in teaching of economics and financial literacy. The awards honor teachers whose innovative teaching methods improve and stimulate understanding of economics, financial literacy, and/or entrepreneurship.

Tim Shaunty, President of the Texas Council on Economic Education was presented the Marvin Bower Award by the Council for Economic Education (CEE). The award is presented to a professional educator whose contributions to economic education are exemplary. The criteria include educational leadership, productive communication of ideas to broad audiences, and an innovative spirit.

The CEE recognizes Mr. Shaunty for his educational leadership in the advocacy for economics, personal finance and entrepreneurship programs for K-12 teachers in the State of Texas.

Financial Education - Not Just for Children

http://bit.ly/26j2Do
Here is a nice article about the Stock Market Game and other tools available for teaching Financial Education. The Texas Council on Economic Education is the exclusive agent of the Stock Market Game in Texas - www.thestockmarketgame.com.

Texas Council Receives Grant from Cabrera Capital Markets, LLP

For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Debbie Mackey
Stock Market Game Director in Texas
mackeysmg@aol.com
1-888-764-8233

STUDENTS FROM SAN ANTONIO AND SOUTH TEXAS AREAS
PARTICIPATE IN THE STOCK MARKET GAME PROGRAM
THANKS TO A $25,000 GRANT FROM CABRERA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLP

TEXAS – September 8, 2009 – The fall semester of the Stock Market Game,TM a program administered statewide by the Texas Council for Investor Education, kicks off on September 28. Cabrera Capital Markets continue to support the game annually in an effort to improve financial literacy. Cabrera has generously increased their contribution to $25,000 dollars this school year allowing up to 12,500 area students free access to the game. The funding will allow student participation from various school districts throughout Texas including San Antonio, Houston, San Felipe-Del Rio, McAllen, La Joya, Edinburg, PSJA, Mission, Sharyland and Donna to name a few.

Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital Markets, is committed to funding the program in an effort to improve financial literacy. “I participated in The Stock Market Game when I was in high school,” said Mr. Cabrera, “it’s what got me excited about the investment world. But you don’t have to be an aspiring broker to learn valuable lessons. As students participate, they absorb information about how our economy and capital markets work.” In addition to funding in Texas, Mr. Cabrera continues to significantly fund the game in Illinois, Bronx, Philadelphia and New Mexico.

About The Stock Market Game
The Stock Market Game is an innovative educational experience that includes an online simulation with carefully integrated curriculum. Students increase their personal finance skills as they learn math, economics, social studies and the importance of saving and investing for the long term. Over 23,000 students across Texas participated in the program in the 2008-2009 school year.

Starting with a hypothetical cash balance of $100,000, student teams work cooperatively to increase the value of their trading account. Students compete with area students and tops teams are recognized and receive awards. The program has been updated in recent years to better reflect the investment options available and enhance the educational experience for students. These enhancements include the addition of bonds and mutual funds to the trading platform and the national InvestWrite essay contest. The Stock Market Game also provides teachers with comprehensive lessons, assessments and projects as part of the overall curriculum. Students work in teams and practice management skills, cooperation, and negotiation skills as they compete for the top spot.

About Cabrera Capital Markets
Cabrera Capital Markets has supported the Stock Market Game in the San Antonio and Houston areas for many years as part of their commitment to help young people become financially independent and competitive in the global marketplace. They have significantly increased their support this year to increase the number of students who have the opportunity to participate.

Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC is a full service broker-dealer headquartered in the heart of Chicago's financial district. The Cabrera Team takes great pride in consistently bringing professional results to their clients. Combining the experience of our investment professionals with the latest technology we develop customized and innovative business solutions that our clients have come to expect. For more information, please contact Justin Rodriguez or Ricardo Villaseñor at (210) 558-2876.


Research shows that The Stock Market Game TM is effective.
A 2009 rigorous, randomized controlled trial found that the program improved student performance in mathematics and increased students’ financial literacy. See http://www.learningpt.org/smg/smg_summary.pdf

The National Assessment of Educational Progress reported in 2007 that a stock market game improves economic scores for high school students across all demographics. Additionally, the Jump$tart Coalition’s biannual Survey of Personal Financial Literacy, showed that participation in a stock market game improved the personal financial literacy scores of high school and college students that participated when they were in high school.

“The Stock Market Game TM provides a platform for teachers to integrate investor education into the classroom, while at the same time teaching math, social studies, economics, technology, and critical thinking skills,” said Timothy Shaunty, President of the Texas Council on Economic Education. “The knowledge we are giving students is essential to their future financial well-being. Our program can bring about a real, lasting change for our children and our community.”

Economics Challenge 2009 and 2010 Announced for Texas

The Texas Council on Economic Education(TCEE) is proud to announce the dates for the Texas Economics Challenge for the 2009/2010 school year. There will be two qualifying quarterfinal rounds this year corresponding with each semester of the Fall and Spring. The Fall competition takes place from November 30 through December 4, 2009. Registration is now open at www.economicstexas.org.

The first place teams from each of Texas' four regions plus the next highest six overall scores will be invited to an online state online semifinals in April 2010. The Fall regional champions will compete against the Spring 2010 state qualifiers. The Spring 2010 quarterfinal competition will take place from March 29 through April 2, 2010 with registration beginning January 18, 2010. The state finals will be held on April 13, 2010 in Austin. First place winners at the state level will advance to a regional round and national final with a chance for more prizes.

"The two semester system allows more schools to compete regardless of whether economics is a one or two semester class." said Tim Shaunty, President of the TCEE. "Now the regional champions from the Fall and Spring will have the opportunity to face off online." added Shaunty.

The Economics Challenge is organized in Texas by the Texas Council on Economic Education and is open to all high schools at no charge. See our website for full details and register now.
www.economicstexas.org.

Stock Market Game Boosts Math Scores and Financial Literacy

The SIFMA Foundations's Stock Market Game™ (SMG) gives students the chance to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in an on-line portfolio. They think they're playing a game. You know they're learning economic and financial concepts they'll use for the rest of their lives.

View The SIFMA Press Release
http://www.sifma.org/news/news.aspx?id=12958

See The Detailed Study
See the latest study on the Stock Market Game's affect on Math Scores and Financial Literacy:
http://www.learningpt.org/smg/smg_summary.pdf

IMPROVEMENTS IN MATHEMATICS PERFORMANCE
Students took grade-level-appropriate mathematics tests composed of publicly available items from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as “the Nation’s Report Card.” Students who played The Stock Market Game scored significantly higher on mathematics tests than their peers who did not play the game. Students in Grades 4–6 who played the game scored on average above the 55th percentile, whereas students who did not play the game scored on average above the 43rd percentile. Students in Grades 7–10 scored on average above the 54th percentile, while students who did not play the game scored on average above the 46th percentile.

IMPROVEMENTS IN FINANCIAL LITERACY
Students also took grade-level-appropriate tests to measure financial literacy. Students who played The Stock Market Game scored significantly higher on financial literacy tests than their peers who did not play. Elementary school students playing the game scored on average above the 68th percentile, while nonplaying students scored above the 42nd percentile. Students playing the game in both middle and high school scored on average above the 58th percentile, while their nonplaying peers scored above the 42nd and 40th percentiles respectively.

Texas Teachers Should Participate
The Fall 2009 Stock Market Game begins on September 28 and runs through December 4. Most Texas schools can participate in the Stock Market Game at no charge. In most regions of Texas, SMG fees are picked up by the Texas Council on Economic Education's generous sponsors: Merrill Lynch; Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC.; FirstLight Federal Credit Union; Harlingen Area Teachers' Credit Union; Fidelity Investments; Valley Federal Credit Union and Southwest Securities (Sponsor of InvestWrite).

Click Here for More information or contact Debbie Mackey, Texas Coordinator, at 888-764-8233 or mackeysmg@aol.com.

Carol Hyatt - Newest Member of GATE Advisory Board

Carol Hyatt, AP Economics and Economics teacher of Denton High School was recently appointed to the GATE teacher advisory board representing Texas. GATE is a global membership organization sponsored by the Council for Economic Education exclusively for K-12 teachers and others who are interested in economic, financial and entrepreneurship education.

Ms. Hyatt is an active participant in events sponsored by the Texas Council. She has received many awards and honors throughout her career. Her philosophy for teaching economics is to help young people learn to think, choose, and function in a global economy. Now she will have the opportunity to share her best practices with others through her service on the advisory board.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Hyatt on her new appointment.

10 WEEK STOCK MARKET GAME BEGINS SEPTEMBER 28

Join the over 32,000 Texas students who participated in the Stock Market Game last year. Top performing teams receive regional awards.Register your students for the online simulation where students apply academic skills as they learn about investing and personal finance. Students think they are playing a game, we know they are learning real life skills.

GETTING STARTED: AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3.

1. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET GAME
You can learn more about the SMG at www.economicstexas.org. Click on the Stock Market Game link.

2. REGISTER ONLINE AND ACCESS THE TEACHER SUPPORT CENTER
Moments after you register online at www.stockmarketgame.org. You will receive an email containing advisor log in information. You will be able to access the Teacher Support Center. It contains information on getting started, managing student accounts and a large collection of lesson plans, projects, student handouts and more.

3. ATTEND TEACHER TRAINING
You can access a list of onsite and webinar teacher training at www.economicstexas.org. Click on the date that interests you for more information. Registration is required.

I hope you and your students will be able to participate. You'll be glad you did.

Questions:
Debbie Mackey
mackeysmg@aol.com
888-764-8233
Stock Market Game Director
Texas Council for Investor Education

Texas InvestWrite Winner Honored By SIFMA

http://www.sifma.org/news/news.aspx?id=12568

Alan Sostek, a student at Greenhill High School in Addison, Texas, won the national InvestWrite competition, an essay writing contest challenging students to offer investment advice to their parents upon receipt of a hypothetical $100,000 inheritance. He has honored by SIFMA in New York City.

InvestWrite is an essay contest that is part of the Stock Market Game. The Texas sponsor of the InvestWrite competition is Southwest Securities.

For more information about how you can use the Stock Market Game and InvestWrite in your classroom in Texas, please contact Debbie Mackey at 888-764-8233.

GATE Awards Susan Guy of Aldine ISD Teacher of the Year

The Global Association of Teachers of Economics (GATE) has awarded Susan Guy of Aldine ISD the teacher of year award for 2008-2009. Ms. Guy is active in the Texas Council on Economic Education and the Council for Economic Education.