Synthesis Essay On Financial Literacy

In the news article Working Financial Literacy in With the Three R’s, Ms. Bernard talks about how more states are beginning to require a personal finance instructions class. For example,” Just 13 states require students to take a personal finance course or include the subject in an economics course before they graduate from high school… meanwhile 34 states have personal finance within their curriculum guideline…” This quote expresses that more and more people are starting to realise that they need a required financial course so they know how to handle financial crises or just how to save up money to

So often we hear about teaching the whole child. Today, more than ever, personal finance knowledge and awareness are a critical part of what it means to teach the whole child.

In this society, some of the most important things in your life have to deal with money. In Chad Foster’s book, Financial Literacy for Teens, he taught his readers how to save, spend, invest and give away your money. Reading this book has taught me to start saving when I’m young, know the differences of what I need to buy rather than what I want, to make money while I sleep and giving away some of your money will not only help yourself, but help many others as well.

My own financial health resonates well with the above quote from Daly and Farley, not because I’ve thought about money, but because I know nothing about it. As a young student still breaking ties from home, I have to navigate the intricate world credit, lease contracts, financial aid, and investments seemingly to no avail. In his chapter titled “Enough Debt,” Dietz alludes to this complex world that is the American financial system that I and every other American are currently dealing with. With any complex system, there are misconceptions tied to it that can provide a simpler understanding to those analyzing it. Dietz provides three of the most prevalent misconceptions, how their true function actually debunks them, and then systemic changes

The idea of adding a financial literacy course into schools curriculums and requiring students to take it before graduating is a current decision being considered by numerous school districts. Supporters of this idea say that it would have a positive effect while the people who oppose this idea state that financial courses don’t work.

In the first large-scale international study of 15-year-old students’ financial literacy skills the U.S. ranked 12th out of the 18 participating countries

Future initiatives with financial education can change the landscape of an individual’s life and the economy in which we live. If there is limited focus on learning about personal finances we continue to set our economy up for constant failure. There is a substantial amounts of education provided to school age children that does not directly impact their financial education for their future. In high school individuals learn

Even with these changes some may still doubt why these classes are important, but here are a few statistics about the financial literacy of today’s adults. According to Caitlin Blake of Concordia University, “Only 39% of adults make budgets and track their spending.” and “32% of adults do not save a portion of their annual income.” (Blake) These statistics show that a growing number of adults either don’t use, or haven’t acquired the skills needed to be financially wise. Even with these numbers still being a minority at the moment, a possible outcome in the future could be a majority of adults struggling to manage personal finances. Though many schools still do offer courses to teach these types of skills, many do not require them past middle school. With these classes still being electives, they are still highly susceptible to being eliminated from schools course offerings and, students opting not to take them. Now off the topic of financial literally or; therefore, the lack of, we now move on the topic of

They must understand budgeting, taxes and banking while avoiding traps like payday loans that prey on the poor and uninformed. Despite this, only five states require students to take a stand-alone semester financial literacy course, so school districts simply don’t offer one. Campaigning for FBLA national office, I was surprised how few students, all enrolled in high school business courses, had access to a financial literacy instruction. I experienced the results of this shortcoming firsthand after my parent’s divorce. Lacking a personal finance education, my mother initially struggled with basic budgeting and understanding mortgages and taxes. By expanding financial literacy education in high schools, we can lay the foundation to challenge wealth

"The United States are ranked well behind Chinese and Australian students in financial literacy, and new research shows over sixty percent of American teens don't know how to approach basic financial problems" (Shepard). There are many beneficial reasons why personal finance should be required in high school a few of which are: young adults are lacking the basics, there isn't any personal finance being taught in the classroom, it's a part of our everyday life, and Americas debt lies in our future. The lack of personal finance being taught in the classroom is a major concern in the United States. One of the most critical reasons why personal finance should be taught in the classroom is because young adults are illiterate about personal finance.

The context of the lesson is three fold: First, to enhance literacy and utilize digital tools to research, communicate, produce and present. Developing these skills will be of immediate use, as these students have at least two more years in an academic setting. Secondly, they will be acquiring life skills as they define and internalize the concepts of budgeting and personal finance. Thirdly, in the broadest context, they will be able to apply this knowledge when they go forth into the job market and begin making short and long term investments. This lesson is appropriate and timely for these students as they will soon be leaving high school and embarking on various life and career paths. It is of critical importance that they understand how credit works and how to be fiscally responsible early on, so that they can avoid making bad decisions that have long-term and life altering ramifications. This demonstrates my commitment to their lifelong ability to learn and use information

Although the reliance on student loans continues to increase for college students across the nation, the vast majority of American teenagers are not required to attend and complete a Financial Literacy course before graduating high school. According to Jillian Berman, only five states scored an A on the 2015 Report Card on State Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in High Schools, and those same five states are the only states in the country that require students to take a dedicated semester of personal finance courses before graduating (Marketwatch.com). There is an obvious problem with the state efforts to properly educate finances when 14 out of 50 states rank in at a failing grade. Money is an essential asset to life on Earth, and proper education on financial management is vital for the basic requirements to sustain life. Education on how to manage money in order to afford food, shelter, clothing should be the main priority of the Financial Literacy courses. More in-depth are topics

Critics argue that schools should not have to pay a new teacher to teach a subject that could easily be taught at home. A lot of schools do not have a financial management class and do not have the money to change that. Why should they the board of education spend millions of dollar on schools whose students do not care for. While these are good arguments however, we cannot simply brush this problem off for the parents or say that we cannot fund the schools. Some kids’ parents may not be home all the time and will be too tired to teach their kid. Some kids do not live with their parent for one reason or another. If a parent is just a bad influence in their spendings do you think that they are going to teach good management of their money? We already keep kids in school for seven hours taking required courses that are only helpful for a few people. Not everyone is going to use math, science, or history in their daily lives. Financial management is something that you use everyday. History helps you learn from the past, yes, but financial management helps your future more than history ever could.

This statement is rather shocking but proves why high school students should be taught financial literacy. Financial literacy is the ability of learning how to manage money. Financial literacy should be taught because, more people have been going bankrupt at a younger age, they have more debt options, and lastly are unable to manage money because they have never been taught. This is not just a problem for an individual, but potentially a huge problem in this country’s future.

Having understood the simple meaning of financial literacy, now its time to get an understanding of financial literacy and its impact on financial inclusion.