In response to the nation’s lingering economic and financial issues, the Kansas Council on Economic Education (KCEE), hosted at Wichita State University, is asking Kansans to take action for the state’s youth, equipping them to succeed in years to come.

Jim Graham, president of KCEE, said the state must step forward in support of economic and financial education, which can provide the foundations of knowledge young people will need to avoid future crises.

According to a commentary by Graham that was published in the June 27 Wichita Eagle, disregard for economic and financial education has contributed to our current national predicament.

“We have stood by while economic ignorance and financial irresponsibility have become normal, even acceptable,” Graham said. “In doing little to change the status quo, we actually have endorsed a standard far below excellence.

“We are doing a disservice to our youths by failing to provide them with the training and understanding they need to be successful as adults.”

The good news, said Graham, is that we can make positive changes. KCEE believes that education is “a key to turning in the right direction” and is absolutely critical to ensuring a more prosperous future for Kansas.

Educating Kansas youth (grades K-12) in personal finance and economics is at the core of the KCEE’s mission. The organization works directly with teachers and schools to fulfill its mission by providing resources, educator training and student programs year-round.

“Education is an opportunity — not to undo what already has occurred financially and economically in our nation, but to proactively learn and correct for future generations,” Graham said.

The time to act is now.

To find out if your local school is participating in KCEE’s programs visit http://www.wichita.edu/j/?627.

For more information about KCEE’s financial literacy initiatives and events, or to learn how you can get involved, visit www.kcee.wichita.edu.