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Government and Politics: U.S.
AP Annual Conference Submission
Eva Johnston
Senior Economic Education Specialist
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Lori Zang
teacher
Lafayette High School
Students become players not spectators during this budget simulation. Which budget choices are discretionary and which does law mandate? The budget is often seen as a blueprint for policy. Students develop a working knowledge of the budget committee process, terminology used, and the pull from competing interests and constitutes. Balancing the budget puts competing interests at odds. This module simulates the budget process in a general way using actual names for the various funding categories but it does not include all the details of the official budget. Students must choose and answer to constituents for those choices. There is a pre and posttest to measure learning. This online module gives teachers the flexibility to assign it outside of class time and preserving class time for informed discussion and debate. In addition to free access to the online budget simulation, all participants receive budget graphs and charts to use in their classrooms.