Students from San Antonio and South Texas Areas Participate in the Stock Market Game Program Thanks to a $25,000 Grant from Cabrera Capital Markets, LLP
TEXAS – September 8, 2009 – The fall semester of the Stock Market Game,TM a program administered statewide by the Texas Council for Investor Education, kicks off on September 28. Cabrera Capital Markets continue to support the game annually in an effort to improve financial literacy. Cabrera has generously increased their contribution to $25,000 dollars this school year allowing up to 12,500 area students free access to the game. The funding will allow student participation from various school districts throughout Texas including San Antonio, Houston, San Felipe-Del Rio, McAllen, La Joya, Edinburg, PSJA, Mission, Sharyland and Donna to name a few.
Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital Markets, is committed to funding the program in an effort to improve financial literacy. “I participated in The Stock Market Game when I was in high school,” said Mr. Cabrera, “it’s what got me excited about the investment world. But you don’t have to ba an aspiring broker to learn valuable lessons. As students participate, they absorb information about how our economy and capital markets work.” In addition to funding in Texas, Mr. Cabrera continues to significantly fund the game in Illinois, Bronx, Philadelphia and New Mexico.
About The Stock Market Game
The Stock Market Game is an innovative educational experience that includes an online simulation with carefully integrated curriculum. Students increase their personal finance skills as they learn math, economics, social studies and the importance of saving and investing for the long term. Over 23,000 students across Texas participated in the program in the 2008-2009 school year.
Starting with a hypothetical cash balance of $100,000, student teams work cooperatively to increase the value of their trading account. Students compete with area students and tops teams are recognized and receive awards. The program has been updated in recent years to better reflect the investment options available and enhance the educational experience for students. These enhancements include the addition of bonds and mutual funds to the trading platform and the national InvestWrite essay contest.
The Stock Market Game also provides teachers with comprehensive lessons, assessments and projects as part of the overall curriculum. Students work in teams and practice management skills, cooperation, and negotiation skills as they compete for the top spot.
About Cabrera Capital Markets
Cabrera Capital Markets has supported the Stock Market Game in the San Antonio and Houston areas for many years as part of their commitment to help young people become financially independent and competitive in the global marketplace. They have significantly increased their support this year to increase the number of students who have the opportunity to participate.
Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC is a full service broker-dealer headquartered in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. The Cabrera Team takes great pride in consistently bringing professional results to their clients. Combining the experience of our investment professionals with the latest technology we develop customized and innovative business solutions that our clients have come to expect. For more information, please contact Justin Rodriguez or Ricardo Villaseñor at (210) 558-2876.
Research shows that The Stock Market Game TM is effective.
A 2009 rigorous, randomized controlled trial found that the program improved student performance in mathematics and increased students’ financial literacy. See http://www.learningpt.org/smg/smg_summary.pdf
The National Assessment of Educational Progress reported in 2007 that a stock market game improves economic scores for high school students across all demographics. Additionally, the Jump$tart Coalition’s biannual Survey of Personal Financial Literacy, showed that participation in a stock market game improved the personal financial literacy scores of high school and college students that participated when they were in high school.
“The Stock Market Game™ provides a platform for teachers to integrate investor education into the classroom, while at the same time teaching math, social studies, economics, technology, and critical thinking skills,” said Timothy Shaunty, President of the Texas Council on Economic Education. “The knowledge we are giving students is essential to their future financial well-being. Our program can bring about a real, lasting change for our children and our community.”
For more information contact:
Debbie Mackey
Stock Market Game Director in Texas
mackeysmg@aol.com
1-888-764-8233