From The President: Welcome To E-CONnections

Welcome to the inaugural issue of E-CONnections, a newsletter of the Illinois Council on Economic Education (ICEE). We hope this e-publication, which is scheduled to come your way electronically three times a year, will keep you posted on opportunities for enriching the curriculum of your classroom, school or district through quality economic and financial education programs.

For over 53 years, ICEE has been the premier provider of economic and financial literacy education programs in Illinois. As an approved provider of professional development for the Illinois State Board of Education, we can help you meet recertification requirements, provide curriculum consulting, and offer a wealth of materials and student programs to enhance your teaching.

• Need professional development programs for recertification? We offer outstanding workshops and courses (with graduate credit, CEUs or CPDUs for certification) on economics and personal finance materials; most programs provide a curriculum package as part of the program, and most are offered at no cost to participants.
• Looking for excellent curriculum materials that integrate the teaching of basic economic and personal finance topics across your curriculum? We have materials for all grade levels (K-12) that help you meet reading/writing, math, technology and social science standards while teaching your students the basic skills and knowledge they need to become productive members of our economy.
• Searching for quality student programs that enrich your students' learning experience? The Stock Market Game™ Program, the Economics Poster Contest, the Economics Challenge, and the International Economic Summit all provide exciting, hands-on activities that engage students in learning about our market economy, the world of investment, and the global economy. In addition, our EconomicsAmerica Schools program and the Illinois Global Economics & Finance High Schools program provide comprehensive and innovative approaches to teaching economics and personal finance to all students.

ICEE also recognizes outstanding teachers through the 3M Economic Education Awards. Winners of the 2003-2004 competition are announced in this issue and will be recognized at our annual Economic Education Day Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, October 26th, in Chicago. Student winners from our 2004 ICEE Economics Poster Contest are also recognized in this issue.

You will find articles about new curriculum materials through a link to the online NCEE catalog, updates on the latest improvements in The Stock Market Game™ Program, a calendar of upcoming events/programs, and contact information for the Center/Office for Economic Education nearest you - your connection to our services and programs.

We encourage your feedback on this new communications effort. Email your suggestions and comments to us at icee@niu.edu.

I hope your school year is off to a terrific start! We look forward to serving you.

Joanne R. Dempsey
President/Executive Director