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How to Add a Financial Literacy Course Requirement

If your school district seeks to add a financial literacy component, here are a few recommendations based on our experiences in Prince George’s County, Md.

Gather the data and find your allies. Before seeking your school board’s approval, know what you are asking and have the numbers to back it up. Show the need for a financial literacy program. Vet your elevator pitch to community leaders, PTOs, teaching staff and board members to gather support.

Evaluate the free resources available, your teacher capacity and scheduling capacity to develop a realistic cost analysis. Even free courses cost money in terms of human capital and the possible loss of other elective courses to make room for something new.

Create an action plan for creating curriculum and teacher training. Have an outline of what your program will include and how you will prepare teachers.

Lobby the school board, only after you have your allies aligned and a credible plan in hand.

—   Amy Rock and Dionne Lyles