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Collection
Understanding Fiscal Responsibility

Teach students how to think critically about public policy using these Understanding Fiscal Responsibility lessons focusing on government institutions, programs, the Federal Reserve, Social Security, and events such as the Panic of 1893. Students become informed citizens as they consider the tradeoffs involved in setting public policy. They learn to articulate their own views by evaluating primary and secondary sources, engaging in group activities and discussions, and writing brief essays.

Lesson

Grades 9-12

FRED and the Federal Budget Interactive Lesson

Students will use a Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) data dashboard to calculate budget deficits, surpluses, how much federal budgets...
Key Concepts: Balance of Payments, Budgeting/Money Managment, Business Cycle…
Lesson

Grades 9-12

Balancing the Federal Budget

ESSENTIAL DILEMMA When, if ever, should the nation prioritize balancing the federal budget?
Key Concepts: Balance of Payments, Budgeting/Money Managment, Cost-Benefit Analysis…
Lesson

Grades 9-12

Medicare and the National Debt

In this economics lesson, students will discuss the value we place on guaranteeing quality health care to the elderly.
Key Concepts: Cost-Benefit Analysis, Financial Institutions, Marginal Analysis
Lesson

Grades 9-12

Taxation and the National Debt

In this economics lesson, students will analyze arguments concerning income and corporate taxes and the impact of national debt.
Key Concepts: Fiscal Policy, Fiscal Policy, Taxation
60 mins
Lesson

Grades 9-12

Social Security and the National Debt

In this economics lesson, students will analyze charts and proposals to learn about the issues facing Social Security.
Key Concepts: Crowding Out, Debt, Economic Institutions
60 mins
Lesson

Grades 9-12

The History of Medicare

In this economics lesson, students will learn that Medicare was the fulfillment of what was believed to be Social Security.
Key Concepts: Economic Institutions
60 mins
Lesson

Grades 9-12

Rhetoric

In this economics lesson, students will learn about Rhetoric and how it effects the economy. 
45 mins
Lesson

Activity

Grades 9-12

Uncle Sam

In this economics activity, students will creatively comment on political cartoons.
Key Concepts: Economic Institutions
15 mins
Activity

Grades 9-12

Rise of the AARPs

In this economics activity, students will creatively comment on political cartoons.
Key Concepts: Economic Institutions
15 mins
Activity

Grades 9-12

Lost and Found

In this economics activity, students will creatively comment on political cartoons.
Key Concepts: Economic Institutions
15 mins
Activity

Grades 9-12

Policy Perspectives on Medicare

In this interactive activity, students think critically about Medicare policy choices from the perspectives of varied personas.
Key Concepts: Cost-Benefit Analysis, Marginal Analysis
Activity

Video

Professional Development