If we return to our raison d'être - to prepare children to know how to learn even beyond our reach, and to be ready, when walking across our graduation stages, to go on to college or directly into a career - then we have a responsibility to look at financial literacy as a part of the k-12 curriculum.

As early as the 6th grade, when percentages are taught, the concepts of credit and interest can be spiraled upward into other math classes. The economic consequences can be explored in social studies and English classes. Here is a perfect opportunity for STEM learning and business partners like local banking institutions, or financial planners. They can be invited to work with math and social studies teachers as they build authentic learning opportunities for students to both experience and perform their growing knowledge of the impact interest has on savings and loans. Small business owners and local entrepreneurs can offer insight into business planning and the role of credit in the life cycle of a business. Financial literacy is not best taught as one course, but infused into the already rich curricula from which schools build learning opportunities for their students. In this way, all students will have experience with a growing financial literacy, not just those few with room for an elective in their last year. Read more...