The Importance of Teaching Financial Literacy in Schools

Principals — An astounding 95% of Americans wish personal finance was taught in schools. Adults are struggling with money, and they don’t want to see their children experience the same. What can you do to ensure your students become financially literate before leaving your walls? Implement a program that teaches all about money management — from debt to savings and everything in between. Show students the power that comes from handling money efficiently, and you’ll be well on your way to making a difference in the financial success of our next generation. Start teaching these skills young and consider implementing an outside program as an easy and immediate improvement.

Parents and PTAs — You want your students to succeed in every area of life. They’re already receiving top-notch education in math, literacy, science, and the arts, but what about finances? By providing students with the skills and experience to become financially literate before they reach adulthood, you can improve their future experiences with loans, credit cards, savings accounts, interest rates, and more. Bring financial education to your school, and start its lessons at a young age. You’ll quickly be amazed at the difference experiential learning in this area can create.

Partners — How can you improve the future of the next generation? Financial literacy is an excellent place to start. With such a high percentage of Americans struggling with debt and lack of savings, it’s essential that we teach children the power of money —and how to properly manage it— while they’re still in our care. Consider forming a partnership with a financial literacy program to offer these lessons in local schools today.

More About the Importance of Teaching Financial Literacy in Schools

In the past, it has seemed as if high test scores are the most important piece of American education. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a more well-rounded, life-based curriculum being taking the lead.

Why All Students Need Financial Literacy Education

In order to have a better understanding of how to make a living while learning financial literacy we need to have a better idea how to:

• Taking out student loans and other types of financial aid — and making their first loan payments
• Choosing their bank or credit union
• Buying their first home
• Getting married/throwing an elaborate wedding
• Taking trips and exploring the world before settling down
• Signing up for high-interest rate credit cards from various lenders — oftentimes their favorite store to shop at
• Taking their very first look at retirement planning — and deciding whether or not they want to begin

With each of these life experiences comes financial planning — and an opportunity for financial distress. If students are not taught about credit reports, debt, savings, stock, retirement, and similar subjects in high school, they are much more likely to experience money-related challenges when they put them to use in the real world.

And current statistics show we’re definitely doing something wrong.

• Almost 50% of Americans do not have the cash they would need if a $400 financial crisis was to arise
• 38% of Americans have credit card debt
• 30% have no money at all saved for their retirement

This is just a glimpse into the lack of financial literacy facing our young people today. It’s worrisome, but it’s not hopeless. Each of these statistics can be improved by simply boosting the quality and quantity of personal finance education in schools.

Tips to Introduce Personal Finance Effectively

So, teaching financial literacy in school is important. But how do you do it? The tips below are a good place to begin.

Start Early — In adulthood, habits can make or break personal finance. Research shows that our first financial behaviors begin at age 2, with a purchase request for fruit, cereal, or a toy. This continues through a natural progression of “financial firsts”, such as a child’s first bank account or first job.

Experience speaks with wisdom. When adults who are struggling state they wish students were taught these skills in school, they know it could have made a difference in their lives if they were given the same — and they know the increase in financial capability will change the world young people enter into, too.

Use Real Money — Harvard researchers have found that kids take in significantly more when they’re involved in active learning, instead of simply being told about a subject. When you give students real money to work with, they’ll carry their learnings with them for the rest of their lives.

Implement High-Quality Programming — Schools already have enough on their plates. By bringing in an effective program or platform to teach financial literacy skills, students will reap the benefits without the added stress for teachers and administrators.

Its not to late to start learning the knowledge of financial literacy. We all have a goal in life financially. Put your mind to establishing these goals.