Advocate for policy change – Fast Lane
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Advocate

Advocate for policy change

It may seem daunting to advocate for policy that requires or recommends financial education programs. Take on this challenge! Check out these resources to help you plan policy changes.

Get your team together

While it may feel like you are the only teacher of financial education in your school or maybe even your district, you are not alone.

 

  • Join a local Jump$tart coalition or reach out to volunteers at Junior Achievement.
  • Understand key players in education who may support your efforts.
  • See what financial education programs your State Treasurer may have.
  • Connect to our forum or another online group.

 

Get your Team Together. You Can Join a Local Coalition

You can join a local coalition with Jump$tart

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Junior Achievement

Reach out to volunteers at Junior Achievement

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Key Players in Education

There are many actors involved in the offering of a school-based personal finance curriculum. This section outlines who is involved and their roles. It is helpful to involve as many actors as possible in the promotion of financial education.

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National Association of State Treasurers

See what programs your State Treasurer may have in financial education.

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Fast Lane Connect

Connect to the Fast Lane forum or another online group.

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Make a plan

Once you have your team, you are ready to make a plan and create your strategy to advance financial education in your school, district, and beyond.

 

  • Identify the current financial education landscape to understand the programs and initiatives that are offered.
  • Establish your goals based on the change you want to see happen.
  • Identify key players in education that help support your efforts.

 

Establish Your Goals

Change doesn’t happen overnight, and having a personal finance course as a graduation requirement might not be feasible for your district or school within the short term or even within a few years. However, that doesn’t mean there are not steps you can take now to start making a change and preparing more students to take on life’s financial challenges.

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Key Players in Education

There are many actors involved in the offering of a school-based personal finance curriculum. This section outlines who is involved and their roles. It is helpful to involve as many actors as possible in the promotion of financial education.

Download

Develop a powerful message

A good message can make a real impact. The message should appeal to the specific person or group you want on your side and should let them know why they should care, what is possible, and how they can contribute.

 

  • Learn what is important for key players and how you can show the need for financial education. 
  • Create an impactful message tailored to your audience.

 

Show the Need for Financial Education

There is ample evidence that financial literacy is an important issue. However, it is helpful to gather additional evidence about why financial education is not only important but an urgent issue within your community.

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Create An Impactful Message for Financial Education

An important element in speaking up about the importance of financial education is understanding your audience. Different groups and individuals will have different priorities and reasons for caring about financial education.

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Take action and build momentum

Raise awareness among the community; policy makers pay attention when they know the community is engaged with a particular issue.

 

  • Plan how to make the biggest impact with an advocacy action plan
  • Build momentum with a variety of channels, from petitions to media coverage.

 

Create An Action Plan

Creating an advocacy action plan helps define the specific actions that will lead you to your ultimate goal. An action plan is helpful in breaking a big task into smaller, actionable steps and identifying who will be responsible for each task.

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Build Momentum for Financial Education

Building momentum is an important way for advocates to increase awareness and support in the community for financial education in high school. The more individuals and organizations show heir support, the more likely policy makers will make financial education a priority.

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