In Montana, Optimism Financial Ed To Be Added

During the Montana Board of Public Education's meeting here, credit union representatives and the Extension Service pressed for inclusion of mandatory financial education to state standards curriculums.

Montana CU Network Senior VP & General Counsel Bob Pyfer cited studies showing the need for teen financial education and pointed out the increasing levels of bankruptcy across the country. "We just feel very strongly that no one should graduate from high school without basic life skills in consumer finance," Pyfer told the board.

Professor Marsha Goetting of Montana State University Extension Service, explained the National Endowment for Financial Literacy's program, passed out NEFE workbooks to the board, and explained that the free materials won't mean extra costs for local school districts.

Pyfer said he is optimistic financial education will become part of the Montana public school system when revised social studies standards come up for adoption in 2005.

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