The Minnesota Credit Union Network and the Minnesota Family Involvement Council (FIC) have entered into a collaborative effort with the University of Minnesota Extension Service to promote financial literacy throughout the state.
The collaboration brings credit union professionals and high school teachers together with the help of the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), whose High School Financial Planning Program(r) (HSFPP) curriculum is designed specifically to increase financial literacy among high school students.
"Financial literacy is so important in this day and age because most kids are learning about the power of money when they are very young," said Sharon M. Danes, professor and family economist at the University of Minnesota and faculty of the University of Minnesota Extension Service. "Most people believe that this sort of financial education takes place in the home, but that is just not true. Studies have shown a sharp decline in knowledge of personal finance in the past six years. The integration of this curriculum in Minnesota high schools is the first step toward better-educated, more fiscally-responsible youth in Minnesota."
With the primary financial backing of the Minnesota Credit Union Network, 10 workshops have been coordinated across Minnesota on April 26-29 to train teachers and credit union staff about the HSFPP curriculum. The workshops will also feature an update on credit, review legislative efforts on the state and federal levels, and highlight new elements of the HSFPP.
