UK, Other Universities Join Financial Literacy Effort in K-12 Schools

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2019) — As financial literacy education is now required for high school graduation in Kentucky, a coalition of several state universities is leading the effort to provide high-quality support for the state's K-12 educators who will be teaching the subject material. The Coalition for Financial Literacy in the Commonwealth, a partnership among economic and entrepreneurship educators from the University of Kentucky, Morehead State University, Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, recently hosted its second year of “Off and Running!” — a financial literacy workshop for teachers from throughout the state. 

The purpose of the workshop was to enhance the teaching of personal finance, entrepreneurship and economics in Kentucky schools. A group of 125 teachers who attended the professional development day is expected to have an impact on more than 20,000 students in their schools.

“Financial literacy seems so fundamentally important," said Mary Ann Vimont, an associate professor in the UK College of Education. "It’s not unique to any one population. It affects everyone across all racial, ethnic, gender and socioeconomic lines. Yet, a nationwide survey of college students by the Financial Educators Council found the overwhelming majority of students never received financial education.”

Educators participating in the workshop were taught how to relate the subject matter to the real world and why it is important to know. This could be something as simple as budgeting or more advanced concepts such as investing or saving for retirement early.

This year’s sessions included one on the opioid crisis and its emotional and financial burden on students. The session shared information on identifying signs of opioid use among students or their families; resources that are available; and the causes of addiction.

The professional development opportunity for K-12 teachers was funded by several banks and featured a presentation by Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball.

For more information about the coalition contact Mary Ann Vimont at Mary.Vimont@uky.edu.