Financial Literacy Education
Whether they plan on college or careers after high school, our youth are struggling with crippling student loans, credit card debt, little or no emergency and retirement savings, and the lowest home ownership rates ever.
When we asked what high school curriculum would have benefited them the most, overwhelmingly graduates have responded: personal finance.
In response, San Juan Education Foundation has worked collaboratively with Junior Achievement and San Juan Unified School District to provide financial literacy education for all high schools in the district, beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year.
The (Junior Achievement) curriculum includes: income, budgeting, saving, credit, investing, consumer protection, debt, smart shopping, risk management, and fraud.
For the 2020-21 school year, and to accommodate the SJUSD’s distance and hybrid learning models, JA is offering a suite of robust, rigorous and all remote programs that high school educators can request for their classes
These include innovative programs like JA Finance Park Advanced, which is a classroom curriculum with seven foundational, teacher-led sessions, and 22 optional extension activities that are student self-guided. The lessons culminate in an online “life-stage” simulation where students make life choices, create budgets, spend, save and experience the consequences of their choices.
FREE FINANCIAL LITERACY RESOURCES
Educators and parents will find information about personal economics and consumer choices where students learn the role of money in society and gain practical information about earning, saving, budgeting, and investing, as well as the economic role of businesses, entrepreneurs, and the community. Career information is provided as well as practical information on communications skills needed to succeed in business, and more.
There is something for all age levels.
These resources include various money-management topics that can be completed independently by students, or guided by parents or other caring adults and can be accessed here:
https://www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-usa/elementary-school-supplements
Elementary school materials are also available at: https://sites.google.com/ja.org/ja-k5-vol-videos
Or go to: https://www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-usa/tomorrow
The curriculum includes: income, budgeting, saving, credit, investing, consumer protection, debt, smart shopping, risk management, and fraud.
Financial Literacy Resources
The Kids Helping Kids team at Del Campo High School shares why financial knowledge is so important.
Support Financial Literacy in our Schools
Recognizing the value of this initiative, the Morgan Family Foundation approved a 3-year, $50K matching challenge grant for a total of $100K investment in financial literacy for SJUSD high schools.
SJEF is seeking match funding from local businesses, organizations, and individuals. In addition to financial support, the initiative will also involve intellectual/professional support from private and public entities in disciplines such as banking, insurance, consumer protection, investment management, regulatory, estate planning, legal, accounting, social media, and more.
Your gift will help young adults to flourish and be confident in their ability to navigate unforeseen life events, and ultimately arrive at financial independence.