Forget high school financial literacy for a moment–– adult financial literacy in America is shockingly low. Maybe not that shocking:
The U.S. national debt recently soared past $30 trillion, leaving pensioners and younger generations wondering how the federal government will meet all its outstanding obligations. If Congress can’t even set a balanced budget, what hope is there for the rest of us?
Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, recently told Yahoo Finance Live that the U.S. “standard of living is lower” because of that.
Meanwhile over half of U.S. adults say they’re financially anxious, and over three quarters live paycheck to paycheck.
One Rhode Island school is leading the way to a better future. Personal finance classes at Tolman High School are preparing students to be financially responsible adults as they make their way in the world. Class of ‘21 salutatorian Hanatha Konte told reporters at the Breeze, “The classes really broke everything down for me in a way I understood.”
Bottom Line: The success of teaching students how to manage money and balance their household finances has Rhode Island to pass a bill requiring the class for all high schoolers in the state. Gov. Dan McKee signed the bill into law last Wednesday at Tolman High School.
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asrama on June 18th, 2021 at 12:17 UTC »
I am a 9th grade math teacher and in my class I do financial literacy, paying for college, how to compare job offers, and other important life skills. We look at my actual paystub, we make budgets, we learn about compound interest through savings accounts, and in the last week of school we even watched “Money: Explained” on Netflix.
None of this is required by my state (Maryland) and I am 100% sure that any requirement from the state would be a clunky “one size fits all” mess.
I incorporate these topics into my class because 1) I believe that they are useful and important things for 9th graders to think about, but also 2) my students are into it and it’s a fun way to talk about math and problem solving.
If you want more teachers to teach financial literacy (or any topic) offer paid trainings on “How to incorporate financial literacy into your Algebra I (or Economics, or AP English, or whatever) curriculum.”
Supply and demand. Make it connect to what teachers are already doing and let it be a tool to increase student engagement.
CorgiDad on June 18th, 2021 at 11:58 UTC »
What the fuck is that URL?? High school brainwashes students? What the hell lol
tiroc12 on June 18th, 2021 at 11:41 UTC »
I am not super hopeful for the outcome of this class because every high school since the 70s has taught a civics/government class and most of the population can't tell you the three branches of government.