What is the research on financial literacy in high school? (2024)

What is the research on financial literacy in high school?

Studies show personal finance education can make a significant difference in young adults' financial behaviors, from improving credit scores and lowering loan delinquency rates to reducing payday lending and helping students make better decisions about college loans.

Why is financial literacy important for high school students?

A strong foundation of financial literacy can help support various life goals, such as saving for education or retirement, using debt responsibly, and running a business. Key aspects of financial literacy include knowing how to create a budget, plan for retirement, manage debt, and track personal spending.

What are the statistics about financial literacy in schools?

72% of U.S. adults said they would be “further ahead with their money today if they had a personal finance class in high school.” Only 17% of U.S. adults said they took a personal finance class in high school. Gen Z is the most likely generation to have taken a personal finance course in high school.

Is financial literacy taught in schools in the US?

A flurry of states now require financial literacy classes for high school students, covering topics like budgeting, saving and managing debt.

Do states require financial literacy in high school?

It was not until 2008 that Utah became the first state to mandate high school students to take a personal finance course to graduate. By 2019, six states made this a requirement. Since then it has risen to 24 states as of this year, covering more than 50% of the country's student population. Washington D.C.

Why is financial literacy not taught in high school?

High schools might avoid teaching personal finance due to several reasons, including the perceived lack of relevance to students' current lives, the gap between financial literacy and financial responsibility, and the practical constraints of traditional teaching methods.

How does financial literacy impact students?

Financial literacy is universally essential for all students, regardless of their background or future career path. It equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of personal finance, make informed decisions, and achieve financial security.

How does financial literacy affect high school students?

There are a variety of studies that indicate that individuals with higher levels of financial literacy make better personal finance decisions. Those who are financially illiterate are less likely to have a checking account, rainy day emergency fund or retirement plan, or to own stocks.

What percent of Gen Z is financially literate?

Notably, a collaborative study by the TIAA Institute and the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC) has found that only 43% of Gen Z respondents correctly answered questions related to financial literacy, indicating a significant gap in financial understanding within this demographic.

Why financial literacy needs to be taught in schools?

If students are not taught about credit reports, debt, savings, stock, retirement, and similar subjects in high school, they are much more likely to experience money-related challenges when they put them to use in the real world.

What are the pros and cons of financial literacy?

In conclusion, financial literacy has both its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, being financially literate can help individuals make more informed decisions with their money and avoid debt. On the other hand, financial literacy can also lead to people becoming more materialistic and obsessed with money.

Is financial literacy a problem in the US?

The average estimated amount of money that lacking knowledge about personal finances cost people was $1,819. Extrapolating the results to represent the 254 million adults who live in the U.S., lack of financial literacy cost Americans a total of more than $436 billion in 2022.

Where is financial literacy taught in schools?

San Bernardino City Unified, Huntington Beach High School, Brawley Union High School, Hamilton High School in Los Angeles and San Diego Unified, among others, offer financial literacy courses either through economics, social studies or math departments.

How many high schoolers are financially literate?

For example: Only 25% of American teens have confidence in their personal finance knowledge. Divided on gender lines, 33% of teen boys and only 21% of teen girls are confident in their personal finance knowledge. 24% of 15-year-olds regularly discuss finance with their parents.

Which state has the highest financial literacy?

Minnesota is the most financially literate state, with financial education baked into the K-12 curriculum and high schoolers required to take at least one personal-finance-related course. Minnesota also has the lowest percentage of adults who spend more money than they make, at around 15%.

How many states teach financial literacy?

Updated (3/07/24): How many states require students to take a personal finance course before graduating from high school? Updated (03/07/24): 25 states guarantee their students will take a standalone personal finance course of at least one semester before graduation.

Should financial literacy be taught in high school?

Research shows that students who have access to high-quality financial education have better financial outcomes as adults that result in less debt and a higher quality of life.

What are the disadvantages of financial literacy in schools?

Cons of Teaching Financial Literacy in Schools

Since this topic often involves complex math and advanced concepts, it can quickly go over the heads of some students who may not understand the issues being discussed.

Why is financial literacy a problem?

A lack of understanding of financial services and the basics of personal finance lead to a perpetual cycle of poor financial decisions that restrict the social mobility of Americans. Worse yet, financial illiteracy in one individual can lead to chronic poverty, where generations of a family are born in poverty.

Why isn't finance taught in schools?

We don't have enough instructors to teach finance classes (see reason #1) Personal finance isn't part of the ACT or SAT – if it's not tested it's not taught. Education is up to the states, not the feds, and each state has different ideas. There isn't much agreement as to which finance concepts would be taught.

What is a famous quote about financial literacy?

“Financial freedom is available to those who learn about it and work for it.” — Robert Kiyosaki. With Good Good Piggy, children can develop financial literacy and take active steps towards achieving long-term financial freedom.

What theory is related to financial literacy?

Financial socialization theory suggests that relationships among individuals influence the financial information the individuals receive which in turn results in financial literacy among them. This explains why financial information literacy is regarded as a prerequisite for financial literacy among individuals.

How does financial stability affect the academic performance of the student?

Financial instability can cast a shadow over the pursuit of knowledge, hindering academic performance and dampening student success. The survey titled 'Impact of Financial Instability on Academic Performance' delves deep into the correlation between monetary struggles and educational achievements.

Should all high schoolers take courses in personal finance?

Personal finance courses provide important help to students in low-income areas with lagging schools. Young people in economically challenged areas are often unemployed or underemployed. They find themselves at the mercy of loan sharks and payday loans who take advantage of people who need to borrow money quickly.

Does financial literacy matter?

Financial literacy enables individuals to make informed decisions, manage resources, and contribute to economic growth. On the contrary, financial ignorance perpetuates egregious levels of poverty and inequality. It limits access to opportunities, traps people in debt, and widens wealth disparities between countries.”

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