Economics everywhere.

Although more schools are teaching personal or consumer finances, only 17 states require students to take a basic course in economics. According to the latest national report card on the state of economics and personal-finance education, released last week by the National Council on Economic Education, the number of states that test student on the concepts of economics is declining. "It's becoming more important [to teach these concepts] because of the way our society is changing, with all of the globalization we're seeing," says Joseph A. Peri, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the council. The council believes economics education is key to understanding globalization, capitalism, and supply and demand--which can help students understand real-world realities, such as high gas prices. They support standardized testing of economics, "because if it's going to be tested, it's more likely to be emphasized," Peri says.