To support and foster growth of financial education programs, it is beneficial to have in place strategies that ensure a program’s far-reaching impact.
Great financial education programs can begin with one passionate teacher or school administrator. Additionally, programs can begin without funding, since many curricular resources are available for free. To support and foster growth of financial education programs, it is beneficial to have in place strategies that ensure a program’s far-reaching impact. This may include long-term funding and cross training of educators in other subjects.
GFLEC conducted an in-depth, qualitative study of barriers to the advancement of financial education among parents, teachers, students, and policy makers. This study revealed a large barrier to be program sustainability. An advocate may endorse financial education, but if that individual leaves political office or their current job, the program may stall.
Motivated by low rankings in financial literacy, Treasurer Lynn Fitch created a public-private partnership that enabled teachers and students to gain access to financial literacy resources and programs. The Treasurer’s Education About Money (TEAM) was launched in the 2014-15 school year. TEAM raises private money for educational materials, which are then provided to students for free, and their initiatives also include teacher training in partnership with the Mississippi Council on Economic Education.
