Economics education in school

Governments can make a fertile ground or a desert. They can remove stones and weeds with regulations, they can plant inducements that attract pollinating insects to the crops that others plant and increase the yield, they can collect their share of the crop efficiently and fairly so as to fill their barns with as much as possible for the lean times.

Or they can remove regulations so that weeds thrive over legitimate crops, they can leave other competing countries to tempt away the pollinators with more attractive flowers, they can be dilatory in collecting taxes.

Economics shouldn't just be for students who want to study to a higher level. It should be everybody, so that they have an understanding of current affairs and can make more informed decisions when they vote. I believe an understanding of economics, politics and ethics (and the way they interact) is an essential part of a democracy. Otherwise, people are too easily manipulated by the media and politicians and democracy itself becomes a sham.

I would include regulations in a combined course (with economics, etc) on the role of governments. I would also include intervention in cases of market failure to provide for citizens.

I agree with you daphnedill and you can study A Level economics. Some schools find space in a limited curriculum to do general studies but less seen in schools now. Critical Thinking is more likely to be on the curriculum in its place.

The level of political ignorance that the referendum has highlighted is shocking in a relatively wealthy and 'well educated' society.

Both my children did A level Economics. One studied it at university and the other is hoping to get a place, but I'm thinking more of a General Studies course. I would even make a pass compulsory for higher education.

If I were writing a programme of study for General Studies Economics at sixth form level, I wouldn't start with the current A level syllabus, but an understanding of the issues and terminology required to understand a broadsheet newspaper. Without that understanding and ability to go 'behind the headlines' it's far too easy to manipulate people.

I agree with you about the level of political ignorance highlighted by the referendum. It would appear some campaigners deliberately went for hearts not heads. I would go so far as to say that a referendum without knowledge makesa mockery of democracy.

My eldest son had to take general studies A level, along with everyone else at his sixth form college. When it came to taking the A level exams, they were told they would have to pay for them as they were not proper A levels.
My son had a place on the degree course he wanted providing he passed the other three, so he did not see any point in taking it.
I hope that has changed over the intervening thirty years.

I think that at one time there were some excellent General Studies courses available. 'British Values' now have to be promoted throughout the curriculum..not quite sure if we would all agree on what BVs are! But that could provide an opportunity for debate on current affairs, exploring political viewpoints etc.

'Back in the day' when I was in the Sixth Form, General Studies A level was compulsory. It was essential for a place at Oxford or Cambridge and expected at other universities, although the grade didn't count towards the offer.

A foreign language, maths, science and current affairs were part of the exam. I remember that the current affairs question was explaining the significance of a political cartoon.

We had talks by loads of speakers. I remember we were taught about the Common Market (this was 1973) and the upcoming American elections, so we had an understanding of the way the American political system worked. I thought the course was interesting and valuable.

I think it's a shame that GS isn't more valued, because A levels are quite narrow compared with the International Baccalaureate and, as mentioned above, I think political ignorance makes a mockery of democracy.

PS. I don't even know what 'British values' are .

Depends who you talk to, about British values. My granddaughter is going to start doing the IB at a sixth form college in Cambridge, daphne.

Ooer! I wonder if it's the same one I taught IB.

I'll ask her when I see her next month, daphne, or when I next speak to her.

It seems that some people have already done something to bring economics into schools. This sounds promising...

rethinkecon.co.uk/

PS. Economics has always been political.