This program is for students who are in 11th and 12th grade.

Junior Achievement (JA) Economics®, a school-based program, is designed to teach students about the economic principles and concepts that impact their daily lives and their futures.

No peer-reviewed publications evaluating the effectiveness of this program were located.

JA Economics consists of the following units:

• Elements of the Economy – Why does scarcity matter?;
• Markets – Why do consumers and business owners need each other?;
• National Economy – Does government play a role?;
• Open to Debate: Government or Market Solutions – Why do countries trade?;
• Scarcity and Opportunity Cost – What choice do I have?;
• Allocation and Decision Making – Is there a best choice?;
• Business Decisions – How do businesses make choices?;
• Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership – How do businesses start, survive, and thrive?;
• Consumers Rule – How do consumers influence what is available in the market?;
• Producers Provide – How do producers and consumers negotiate price in the market?;
• Foundations of Economic Growth – What makes economic growth possible?;
• Economic Systems and Structures – What happens when government expands its influence in market decisions?;
• Government Role in a Flourishing Economy – How can limited government help consumers and businesses prosper?;
• The Role of the Federal Government – What are the effects of fiscal policies?;
• The Role of Money and Banking – What are the effects of monetary policies?;
• National Economic Indicators – How do you measure the success of the economy?;
• International Trade – Do the benefits of international trade outweigh the costs?;
• Trade Policies: Beyond Free Trade – Do the benefits of trade barriers outweigh the costs?;
• Trade Deficits – Do the benefits of the trade deficit outweigh the costs?; and
• Social Problems: Government or Market Solutions – Can economics solve social problems?

This program is delivered by classroom teachers and JA volunteers. Volunteers work with students through various activities such as subject matter guest speaking and coaching or advising for case study and project work.

Students learn the following skills during sessions: applying economic reasoning and mathematical formulas, analyzing and evaluating economic systems, analyzing national economic indicators, calculating and understanding profit margin, examining the effect of competition on price, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of international trade, realizing the importance of small businesses, and understanding the laws of supply and demand.

In 2014 to 2015, the parent program, JA USA, reached more than 4 million U.S. students, over 21,000 schools, and more than 201,000 classes and worked with more than 218,000 volunteers in all 50 states. No previous use information was available for the JA Economics program.

This program is delivered by teachers and volunteers. Volunteers are trained, at no cost, through local JA offices for approximately 90 minutes; however, time will vary depending on program(s) being delivered.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring teacher buy-in, recruiting volunteers and ensuring they receive training, and making time to implement the classroom activities.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing JA Economics, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

This is a one-semester course.

Materials required to implement the program are free.

To move JA Economics to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185     Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Junior Achievement USA by mail One Education Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, phone 1-719-540-8000, email newmedia@ja.org, or visit https://jausa.ja.org/about/contact-us

https://jausa.ja.org/programs/ja-economics-blended-model