This is a comprehensive review of literature related to K-12 economics curriculum spanning 20 years, from 1998-2018. The search for literature revealed 18 articles and book chapters in peer-reviewed journals and volumes related to social studies and economics education. The study revealed several trends and issues related to K-12 economics…

This article presents findings from an investigation of the treatment of wealth distribution by high school economics textbooks. The eight leading high school economics texts in the United States were examined.

The issues surrounding the federal budget, national debt, and budget deficit are complex, but not beyond the reach of young students. This study finds scant treatment of the federal budget, national debt, and budget deficit in high schools today. It is hardly surprising that high school teachers spend so little time discussing these topics in…

This study of all fifty state, high school social studies curriculum standards found a lack of attention in the vast majority of state standards to the federal budget, federal debt, and budget deficit, topics of significant concern. These concepts are important to teaching about economics in the United States since they lie at the center of…

Service learning is an accepted practice in many middle and high schools as a means to develop empathy for others and promote character. In elementary classrooms service learning may be considered a one time a year occurrence and carried out as a school-wide project. This article addresses a more integrated approach to service learning, wherein…

The circular flow of income diagram is a traditional starting point for economics taught at the high school and college level. Although it is an incredibly useful tool for illustrating how money flows through the economy, the model can be abstract and relies on a sophisticated vocabulary that makes it impractical for use with younger students.…

The typical method of presenting supply and demand in high school classes often leaves students with an impression that markets are simple and function effortlessly. In reality, the effectiveness of markets depends on the quality of complex institutions such as private property and property-rights enforcement. Students often do not realize that…

Stuart Chase, through his writings, contributed greatly to acquainting the American public with many concepts generally accepted today: social planning to eliminate economic waste, greater government regulation of business, confrontation of technological unemployment, a national approach to social and economic questions at right angles to laissez…

Presents a method of using the Consumer Price Index to give students an understanding of the meanings of price levels in different historical periods. Demonstrates how to figure the actual price of items in the 1920s and 1930s by converting prices to present value. Argues that consumer goods were not cheaper in the past. (DK)

A brief historical review of the American Depression during the 1930s is presented. (JR)

Provides an overview of Economics as a profession, and the ways in which its tools and theory are used in planning and decision making. (JB)

The purpose of this article is to identify, sequence, define, and clarify a limited number of key economic concepts useful to elementary and secondary social studies teachers for analyzing a broad spectrum of personal and socioeconomic issues. (Author/ND)

Identifies two steps to teaching economics, contending that economics learning can be helped with the use of graphs. Divides graphs into two types, concrete and abstract, and compares the two. Presents an exercise on teaching supply and demand utilizing abstract graphs. Plots supply and demand variables and interprets data. (RW)

The author explains how social studies teachers can make sense out of economics for their students by viewing the American economy systematically, conceptually, and interdisciplinarily. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationship of inflation, deflation, and unemployment. Simple diagrams are provided. (DE)

Reviews the National Survey of American Economic Literacy and asserts that U.S. citizens and students show significant and serious deficiencies in knowledge of economics and the economy. Provides suggestions for improving course content and instructional strategies. Includes a list of teacher resources. (CFR)