Study Tour on Economic Education to the Republic of South Africa

July 23 – August 5, 2008

Application deadline: MARCH 31, 2008

Notification of application status: APRIL 15, 2008

NCEE is seeking dynamic K-12 economic educators who will work with state councils and/or centers on follow-up activities in the United States . Participants will be expected to make presentations on various aspects of economic education in the United States during the program and to share their international experiences locally with teachers and other members of their communities upon their return.

Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications is March 31, 2008 . For more information please contact Svetlana Smerdinskaya at 212-730-6587.

PROGRAM CONDUCTED BY:

National Council on Economic Education

1140 Avenue of the Americas , Suite 202

New York , NY 10036

FUNDED BY :

United States Department of Education and carried out in coordination with the U.S. Department of State
NCEE Study Tour to the Republic of South Africa

OVERVIEW

Organizational Overview

National C ouncil on Economic Education

The National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic and financial literacy. Its mission is to help students develop economic ways of thinking and problem-solving that they can use in their lives as consumers, savers, investors, members of the workforce, responsible citizens, and effective participants in the global economy. The National Council on Economic Education and its nationwide network of affiliated state councils and university-based centers on economic education deliver these programs to the nation's schools and work with a growing number of international partners.

The C ooperative Education Exchange Program ( C EEP) provides funding for the NCEE international program. CEEP-funded programs are administered through the United States Department of Education and carried out in coordination with the United States Department of State. Through CEEP, NCEE helps international partners undergoing the transition to a democratic market economy reform their educational systems through professional development, materials development, translation and adaptation, conferences, study tours, and organizational development. Through CEEP, NCEE brings together U.S. economic educators with their counterparts from emerging market economies. Since 1995, the National Council on Economic Education EconomicsInternational program has been responsible for conducting the economic education component of the CEEP. The CEEP also supports major activities in the area of civic education.

Program Overview

With funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the NCEE is seeking qualified applicants to participate in a study tour to the Republic of South Africa for 12 K-12 U.S. educators who teach economics or incorporate significant economic content coverage in history, social studies, and other courses. One goal of the study tour to South Africa is to provide participants with an exceptional opportunity for professional development through observation of both the educational reforms underway and the realities people who live in countries undergoing economic transition face in their everyday lives. Another goal of the study tour is for participants to gain knowledge that will be communicated in their professional work when they return to the United States , through lessons and other educational activities for students, colleagues, and other community members.

The study tour will focus on participation in and observation of economic education activities and will include school visits, observations of teacher training activities, and meetings with provincial department of education officials and other leaders in education. Participants will meet with teachers, share ideas and experiences in economic education, and observe South African educators creatively delivering lessons in economics to students in elementary and secondary schools. U.S. participants will learn about educational reforms, training and delivery systems, curriculum and materials development, standards, and assessment in South Africa . Activities showcasing South Africa 's culture will also be included.

Please note: Due to the full agenda of the study tour, participation in this study tour will require physical stamina and will involve long flights between the U.S. and South Africa, several hours of walking and remaining on your feet daily, taking part in walking tours, and carrying one's own luggage. Each day begins early, and activities extend into the evening.

Program activities will begin with a two-day pre-departure orientation in Washington , D.C. The agenda for the orientation includes the following components:

•  History and structure of NCEE;

•  Tour objectives and expectations;

•  A Who's Who of key players;

•  Trip logistics;

•  Cultural sensitivity exercises and information;

•  South Africa 's educational system; and

•  Post-tour follow-up projects and reports; and

•  Ongoing involvement with NCEE and its affiliated network of centers and councils.

Dates for 2008 study tour are:

NCEE will cover the cost of accommodations (double-room occupancy) and meals during the study tour as well as international and in-country travel expenses. The study tour will be led by a U.S. economic educator and an NCEE program coordinator. These individuals are experienced in leading study tours and other educational programs in transition economies.

NOTE: Applicants must possess a U.S. passport valid through February 9, 2009 , with at least two blank pages at the time of application submission – no exceptions can be considered.

Professional Development Objectives

Upon returning to the United States , participants will be required to share their new-found knowledge in the following ways:

•  Write a report to NCEE that highlights impressions of South Africa , focusing particularly on economic education. (Report form will be provided by NCEE .) Reports are due no later than August 29, 2008 ;

•  Work with their local NCEE-affiliated centers for economic education and/or state councils, both before and after the study tour, in an effort to share NCEE's work with other teachers in the state or community;

•  Conduct presentations to teachers or educational, community, civic, or business groups on education or economic education in South Africa ;

•  Conduct a lesson or develop educational materials focusing on South Africa for their students.

5) Submit a progress report on proposed presentations and activities by December 5, 2008 and a final report

by March 2, 2009 .

Selection Criteria

Preference will be given to U.S. citizens who:

•  Are currently involved in K-12 economic education;

•  Are actively involved in programs conducted by an NCEE-affiliated council or center (letter of recommendation from a council or center director is highly advised);

• Commit to engage in innovative outreach to promote the program such as attracting local media coverage, writing an article for school newsletter or professional journal, newsletter or other forums for outreach;
• Offer creative ideas for incorporating knowledge gained from the study tour into post-tour products;
• Possess demonstrated diplomatic skills and cultural sensitivity;
• Are experienced working in teams and groups;

•  Are at least moderately experienced travelers who can effectively cope with the stress, uncertainty, and physical demands associated with overseas travel.

NCEE may conduct telephone interviews with some applicants. Those applicants who are selected to participate will be notified by e-mail on or before April 15, 2008 . For more information about NCEE: http://www.ncee.net/

Contact:

National Council on Economic Education

Svetlana Smerdinskaya at 212-730-658

Barbara DeVita at 212-730-6703

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