Opinion: Financial literacy should be taught at Starr’s Mill
Photo via pxfuel under Creative Commons zero license
Starr’s Mill introducing a financial literacy course would help better prepare students for the adult world that they will soon step into. Students would be able to expand their knowledge on budgeting, navigating savings accounts, managing their college tuition costs, and handling taxes and insurance payments.
As the second semester rolls around, seniors frantically try to prepare for the future that is quickly emerging — college life and adult life. We are finally breaking away from the Bubble and entering the real world.
As of last summer, North Carolina joined 19 other states that are now introducing a mandatory financial literacy class for their senior students.
— Op-ed Editor Victoria Sponar
The question is, are we ready for it? Is there any way that we could become more prepared for the new world that lies ahead?
I believe that the answers are no, we are not really ready for it, and yes, there are areas of adulting that we should know more about before we graduate.
While there are some lessons in adult life that are better learned through personal experience, having a class that teaches the importance of managing finances responsibly is something that could help many graduates begin a more secure and stable journey.
This is not an entirely new concept. Other states have already started implementing this idea. As of last summer, North Carolina joined 19 other states that are now introducing a mandatory financial literacy class for their senior students.
Seniors are going to experience the harsh realities of student debt when they enter college, so being properly educated on things such as budgeting and the importance of financial planning could help them handle it more responsibly.
[E]ducating the future of this country on how to better handle finances is a step in the right direction.
— Op-ed Editor Victoria Sponar
According to Donna Fuscado, a writer for Forbes, “The lack of financial well being by the majority of Americans is something to be worried about.” Currently, only 29% of Americans admit to being financially well off, while over 70% of Americans say they are struggling with financial problems.
Financial problems being all too common among American citizens demonstrates that something needs to be done, and educating the future of this country on how to better handle finances is a step in the right direction.
If seniors are able to leave high school and enter adult life with a sense of confidence and deeper knowledge of how to operate a savings account, budgeting, making secure financial decisions, and understanding of how to responsibly manage their money, there is a chance that those high percentages could begin to finally lower.
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