Six Essential Elements for an Effective High School Financial Education Program – Fast Lane
I am a...
Advocate

Six Essential Elements for an Effective High School Financial Education Program

Image

To be a powerful advocate, it is helpful to know what is needed in an effective high school financial education program. Through research, we found six essential elements.

Comprehensive

There are a lot of topics that can be covered within personal finance. The best scenario is a curriculum that covers national financial literacy standards through a dedicated personal finance course. This helps to ensure that students are ready for all of the big financial decisions soon facing them.

Tested

Financial education makes a difference when it is implemented well. Regular evaluations are indispensable in assessing how financial education is affecting behavior and knowledge—and whether and when to make improvements to a program.

Confidently taught

Teachers are the backbone of a financial education program. Research shows that financial education programs have a positive effect on student learning when teachers feel comfortable with and ready to teach financial topics.

Long-running

A school’s investment in financial education pays off when the program is long lasting. That’s why it is important to put strategies in place to ensure that a program will continue even if a key leader leaves. This includes long-term funding and cross training of other educators.

Engaging

Financial education provides students with foundational knowledge, confidence, and the skills to make informed financial decisions. Students can gain experience by applying knowledge in engaging learning environments before they have to make costly real-life decisions.

BONUS: Required

Great financial education programs can exist without a requirement. However, having a graduation requirement ensures that all students leave high school with a foundation of financial know-how. This is important, since life will require all students to make financial decisions.