TFAS’s high school division, the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) programs, has once again proven to be essential in teaching both students and teachers the “economic way of thinking.”

FTE is providing much needed training and exposition on the economic topics and education methodology so needed in high schools today” – TFAS Academic Director Anne Bradley

Based on empirical surveys, written feedback and pre and post economics testing from hundreds of students and teachers, it is apparent that FTE programs are vital to delivering quality and timely content for educators and students.

In her annual program evaluation, TFAS Academic Director Dr. Anne Bradley, reports found that “both students and teachers across all programs consistently and overwhelmingly praised:

• FTE instructors for their engagement with students, in particular their ability to bridge the online platform and connect personally with program participants;
• FTE content for its timeliness, clarity and urgency in the classroom;
• FTE programs for enhancing their understanding of the economic way of thinking”

Despite challenges brought by the global pandemic and subsequent closures by university partners, FTE continued to advance its mission of teaching young minds the importance of economic thinking in everyday life, through highly engaging, interactive simulations and classroom lessons.

“The pandemic did not stop successful and interactive FTE programs,” Bradley reported. “The evidence shows that in some cases FTE programs increased the understanding of economic concepts for students by 27 percent!”

In addition, over 93% of students indicated that the programs improved their understanding of how free markets function.

The report found that FTE had accomplished what many education organizations and schools were unable to deliver in the face of challenges brought on by economic lockdowns and physical distancing requirements.

“FTE is providing much needed training and exposition on the economic topics and education methodology so needed in high schools today,” Bradley said.

Read the full evaluation and see the data at TFAS.org/FTE20Eval.