Money Factors In High School

The writer Oscar Wilde once said, “When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is” (De la Bédoyère p 22). The meaning of Wilde’s quote is that money factors into almost every aspect of our lives, and it facilitates freedom and choices. When would it be a more pivotal time to educate a person on these principles other than during high school years? Some believe that there is not enough room in the curriculum for an additional course. Many argue that it is the parents’ role rather than the teachers’ to educate their children about finances. Others believe that high school students do not need finance skills because they are financially dependent on their parents. The truth is, …show more content…
Students spend long hours at school with little time in between; therefore, mandating an additional course would be preposterous! However, by enhancing the course requirements, we can effectively incorporate this essential life-skill course without overloading the student’s educational plate. How can we do this? The answer is simple. Students receive a number of required elective courses for graduation; therefore, we can incorporate a personal finance course into requirements at the expense of an elective. The great news is, we are not veritably taking away an entire course, rather refining the prerequisites. The goal is to make the most of students’ time and considering, they spend a substantial amount of time at school it is the education departments’ moral obligation to educate them for these imperative principles prior to their upcoming years. According to an article found on Study.com titled “10 Worthwhile Electives Students Wish They Took,” a “Personal Finance” course was the very first on the list. The article suggests “Even if you 're not a business or accounting major, a personal or general finance course can teach you essential financial management skills that will assist you long after college” (Study.com, 2009). For that reason, implementing a personal finance course in the students’ curriculum is essential and …show more content…
An organization known as “NEFE” or the National Endowment for Financial Education conducted a survey that produced diverging results. Eighty-nine percent of teachers agree or strongly agree that students should take a financial literacy course or pass a test for high school graduation. (NEFE) Another company called EverFi, focuses on preparing learners for next generation challenges, including leadership and success, STEM readiness, health and wellness, diversity and inclusion, and most importantly financial capability. Through surveys, EverFi discovered that sixty-three percent of high school students believed that their caretakers are responsible for teaching them personal finance skills. Followed by the results of another survey produced by Networks Financial Institute, which reported that just twenty-six percent of parents feel they possess the knowledge to educate their kids on money management. Furthermore, eighty-three percent of high school students surmise that personal finance should be a mandatory course in schools today.