Topeka, Kan. – As students across Kansas return to school, they will learn many new and valuable skills to prepare them for their lives and future careers. Financial literacy is a key part of that education, and programs like the Stock Market Game give students a great opportunity to learn about important investing principles. 2023 marks the 20th year that the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner, a division of the Kansas Insurance Department, and the Kansas Council on Economic Education (KCEE) have partnered to bring the Stock Market Game to Kansas students.
“The Stock Market Game is a great program for students to learn the fundamentals of capital markets in a fun and engaging way,” said Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. “The Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner is proud to partner with the KCEE to bring this innovative program to classrooms across Kansas.”
For the 2022-23 academic year, over 2,400 teams totaling approximately 8,500 students from 159 schools participated in the game. In addition to learning the fundamentals of investing, students who participate in the Stock Market Game increase their performance in math, economics, and language arts while learning team-building skills. The Kansas Insurance Department provides a grant to KCEE to fund and administer the game.
The Stock Market Game is an activity of the SIFMA Foundation, which is committed to creating a more equal society by educating young people about the importance of personal finance. The Stock Market Game originated at Buffalo State College’s Center for Economic Education in 1976. In 1977, Kansas became the second state to adopt the program. Since 2000, the KCEE has administered the game in Kansas, and since 2003 the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner has been a proud supporter.
“KCEE is proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its partnership with the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner,” said Charlene Nichols, the Executive Director of KCEE. “This support has allowed thousands of Kansas students to improve their understanding of investing and the real-world decision-making process it requires.”
Teachers can register for or learn more about the Stock Market Game at www.stockmarketgame.org. For more financial literacy and investing resources from the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner and the Kansas Insurance Department visit SmartInvestKS.com. Learn more about the Kansas Council for Economic Education and its programs for Kansas students and teachers at kcee.wichita.edu.
The Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner, a division of the Kansas Insurance Department, regulates investment sales in Kansas–the birthplace of “Blue Sky Laws.” In 2017, the Office was merged with the Kansas Insurance Department.
The Kansas Council for Economic Education (KCEE) was founded in 1959 on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas and is currently housed at Wichita State University’s Barton School of Business. KCEE provides Kansas K-12 students with the economic knowledge and financial skills needed to thrive in the dynamic economy. By providing quality training and up-to-date resources, KCEE partners with teachers and schools to help students develop the decision-making skills needed to be informed consumers, productive employees or innovative entrepreneurs, thoughtful investors, and reasoned voters.