FTE at 50: Ted Tucker and Lisa Chang on Building Economic Literacy

Roger welcomes Ted Tucker, executive director of the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) and Lisa Chang, director of operations and teacher programs at FTE, to discuss the organization’s 50-year legacy of teaching the economic way of thinking to high school students and teachers. They share the fascinating history of FTE’s founding in the 1970s, the pivotal role of leaders like Milton and Rose Friedman and Gary Walton, and how FTE has evolved to meet the needs of a changing world.They explore why economic literacy is so critical, yet often neglected today, how FTE’s experiential and activity-based learning approach makes economics accessible, and why an engaging introductory economics course can be life-changing for students. Plus, insights on the difference between economic literacy and financial literacy and the unique power of understanding opportunity costs and trade-offs.Ted and Lisa reflect on the personal growth they see in students and teachers who attend FTE programs, share stories of alumni success and outline their vision for the next 50 years of economic education.The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.Support the show