This fall, thousands of Kansas students have been given the chance to go on a free virtual field trip from their classroom to a stock trading room.

For the second year in a row, the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner (KSC) is providing funds to the Kansas Council on Economic Education (KCEE), hosted at Wichita State University, to ensure that every Kansas student in grades 4-12 has equal opportunity to participate in the Stock Market Game program. The KSC’s investment in the program eliminates any cost that schools would otherwise have to pay.

The Stock Market Game, started in 1977, is an investing simulation owned by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Foundation and administered in Kansas by KCEE. The game is engaging and has proven effective for improving students’ performance in school competencies.

An impact study released by Learning Point Associates in 2009 found that the Stock Market Game increased students’ assessment scores in mathematics and also expanded their financial literacy knowledge.

The KSC supports the program from both a financial and educational standpoint, believing that it helps schools to meet their objectives while introducing students to the fundamentals of investing and personal finance.

Last year, when the KSC provided funding for the Stock Market Game, the KCEE experienced a dramatic increase in the number of participating students, with about 10,000 taking part. For 2010-2011, the KSC and KCEE are encouraging more schools to take advantage of the opportunity. No previous investing experience is necessary and lots of learning is guaranteed.

Full lesson plans, correlated to state and national standards, are also available at no cost to teachers. These lessons are designed to integrate the Stock Market Game into almost any subject area including math, family and consumer sciences, business, social studies, technology and language arts.

Overall, teachers say students are enthusiastic about playing the game and are learning how to someday make wise decisions with their investments.

That’s what the KSC and KCEE are hoping for and working toward — a financially literate next generation.

To learn more about the Stock Market Game, visit www.kcee.wichita.edu or contact KCEE at (316) 978-5183.