Financial Education

As I listened to Craig Cohen on WITF's Smart Talk last night, I had the eeriest feeling that I was invisible. For the last 20 years, I've taught Personal Finance to high school students in Family and Consumer Sciences classes. I'm not alone. Throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there are hundreds of us , teaching children how to make wise consumer decisions. Students in my classes learn how to:

• finance a home


• comparison shop for cars and insurance


• save for long-term goals


• balance a budget


• create action plans with SMART objectives


• use credit wisely


• solve consumer problems

Last month two out of the three teachers in my department were furloughed. In West Shore School District, NINE Family and Consumer Sciences teachers were furloughed. In most districts, Family and Consumer Sciences is an elective course at the high school level. We need to reach ALL students. Yesterday's guests on Smart Talk were correct. Let's focus on teaching high school students how to be good money managers, not just as a lesson here and there in other classes, but in a stand-alone, required course taught by Family and Consumer Science professionals. Hold us accountable...we've eager for an opportunity to make a difference. Students need to learn practical, relevant knowledge and skills.