Figuring out credit “on your own” might work for some, but the mortgage crisis proved that our society has a moral imperative to provide financial education to everyone. For too long, many young people have started their adult lives vulnerable to the pitfalls of credit. Although credit can be a tool for building a comfortable life, it can be misused. For people uneducated in finance, it is tempting to overspend and ignore the consequences. Through financial education programs, we can train young people to build a strong credit history and resist the frivolous use of credit.
My employer, Boulder Valley School District, has set a new standard for Colorado by requiring money management/personal finance education for every high school graduate. We now have a daunting task before us. Fortunately, we have Junior Achievement to help us.
Junior Achievement (JA) has developed a great collection of financial education materials, which are available to any teacher. JA does more than provide teaching materials, however. JA recruits professionals from the local business community to come into the classroom to lead students through innovative learning activities. I am grateful for the volunteers JA has recruited for my classes, and recommend JA to any other teachers.
Rudy Sumpter
Monarch HS
Boulder Valley School District