How will implementing a Personal Finance class for seniors impact students’ knowledge of financial literacy?

Seminar Title

How will implementing a Personal Finance class for seniors impact students’ knowledge of financial literacy?

Knowledge, Personal Finance

12th Grade

High School

Mathematics

Family and Consumer Science

Credit Cards! Taxes! Mutual Funds! Interest Rates! There is so much our students need to know before graduating high school and becoming a financially responsible adult. Come join me in starting the conversation about the implementation of Personal Finance courses for all students, of all ages, in our schools. From elementary to high school, let’s share ideas of ways to get our students engaged and taking control of their own learning. This session is open to all teachers who believe our students need more, deserve more, and can do more about their own financial future!

My research focuses on the following question: How will implementing a personal finance class for seniors impact students’ knowledge of financial literacy? A review of literature has shown that in order for students to one day become financially literate adults and to successfully create a financial future for themselves, they require knowledge in the world of finance. As a result of the literature and a lack of finance being taught at the school I teach at, I decided to implement a personal finance class specifically for seniors. Using responsibility, self-control, and grit students mastered the following topics to achieve financial literacy: automobile ownership, banking services, budgeting, consumer credit, employment basics, investing, taxes, and retirement. Through engaging and active lessons, focused around individual students needs, students gained skills to successfully make financial decisions in a responsible manner. Assessment of student growth in financial literacy was measured through journaling, projects, surveys, finals, pre and post tests, self grading, reflecting, and student taught mini-lessons on finance. Through my research, I have learned the areas of finance that excited my students and the areas that worry them about life after college. I found that involving students in their own learning and putting the material in their hands to succeed drastically improves engagement and understanding. Through these kinds of student-driven lessons, students have learned to research and educate themselves before making financial decision. My data and personal findings have shown an increase in student knowledge, responsibility, self-control, and grit in financial literally as a result of students taking the Personal Finance course. Individual student growth is evident in daily class discussions and seen through their enthusiasm for the content. After implementing this new Personal Finance class, I am proud to see how responsive the students were to learn about their financial future. The student’s eagerness and responsibility to learn finance has energized me to begin editing my classes content for next year's Personal Finance course.