National Financial Literacy Standards
Developed in alignment with the Council for Economic Education (CEE) and Jump$tart Coalition standards, our curriculum addresses seven key areas of financial competency:
1. Earning Income
- Understanding diverse income sources (wages, entrepreneurship, investments)
- Evaluating education and career impacts on earning potential
- Analyzing taxes and benefits in net income calculations
2. Spending
- Creating and managing budgets for needs, wants, and savings
- Making informed purchasing decisions using product evaluation
- Understanding social/psychological influences on spending
3. Saving
- Developing emergency funds and long-term savings strategies
- Understanding compound interest and inflation impacts
- Evaluating savings tools based on risk and liquidity
4. Investing
- Building wealth through diversified portfolios
- Assessing risk/return tradeoffs in investment choices
- Understanding market forces and tax implications
5. Managing Credit
- Using credit responsibly and understanding costs
- Maintaining healthy credit scores and reports
- Comparing credit types and avoiding predatory lending
6. Managing Risk
- Identifying personal financial risks
- Evaluating insurance options and coverage needs
- Protecting against identity theft and fraud
7. Financial Decision-Making
- Applying systematic evaluation processes
- Using reliable financial information sources
- Understanding consumer rights and protections
Citations:
- Council for Economic Education National Standards
- Jump$tart Coalition Personal Finance Standards