Contact: Sammy McDavid
Business, education and community leaders from around the state are being invited to a May 23 meeting in Jackson to organize a Mississippi Council on Economic Education.
Former governor William Winter, a member of the Jackson-based Foundation for the Mid-South, has sent invitations to some 150 individuals with an interest in forming a Mississippi affiliate of the National Council on Economic Education. Winter is chair of the foundation's Development Committee.
Now in its 50th year, the NCEE is a non-profit partnership of professionals devoted to helping children learn to function successfully in a changing global economy. The organization currently includes 47 state councils and more than 250 university-based centers supporting teacher training and economic education in the public schools.
"The proposed Mississippi council will raise funds to provide statewide support for teacher training in economics and the promotion of economic literacy initiatives," said Paul Grimes of Mississippi State University, who is among those helping to coordinate the Jackson meeting.
Professor and head of the finance and economics department in the university's College of Business and Industry, Grimes said Mississippi's eight public universities are expected to play a significant role in the effort. Each will be encouraged to establish economic education centers to provide the necessary teacher training and community outreach programs.
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) has sponsored an Excellence in Economic Education bill in Congress that, when funded, will promote the development of economic education in schools, Grimes said. "In line with Sen. Cochran's action, our college is making plans to open what will be named the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy," he added.
Grimes has long worked to bring NCEE activities to the state. Over the past decade, he has conducted numerous research projects involving curriculum development and program assessment for the organization's national office in New York City. He also recently returned from a two-week NCEE-sponsored study trip to Russia.
"In addition to promoting economic literacy in the United States, NCEE is under contract to the U.S. Department of Education to provide assistance to Russia's education system," Grimes said. "I was among a group of teachers selected to observe the results of Siberian teacher-training programs where the NCEE's efforts are designed to promote economic development as Russia makes the transition to a market-based economy."
Grimes said "the need for economic literacy is universal, because knowledge and understanding about how the system works is essential in today's complex world."
Because curriculum reforms now require Mississippi high schools to offer a course in personal finance and economics, Grimes said teachers in all 82 counties that are called on to teach the class will need to receive specialized training.
Encouraged about the upcoming meeting to form a state economic education council, Grimes said, "Economic literacy is the foundation for economic development. The time is right for this initiative in our state."
For additional information on the proposed Mississippi Council on Economic Education, contact Grimes at (662) 325-1987 or pwg1@ra.msstate.edu.