This WSU Newsline Podcast is available at http://www.wichita.edu/newslinepodcast. See the transcript below:

You’re listening to the podcast edition of the Wichita State University audio newsline. Learn more about WSU — the home of Thinkers, Doers, Movers and Shockers — on the web at wichita.edu.

Is it possible that students who receive an otherwise good education may be illiterate when it comes to personal finance and economics?

Jim Graham, president of the Kansas Council on Economic Education, hosted by the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University, says education is an opportunity to learn for future generations.

Graham: "One of the problems in Kansas is that most schools do not have dedicated courses in personal finance and economics, and most don’t incorporate the concepts into other subject areas.”

Graham says personal finance and economics topics can be incorporated into existing curriculum.

Graham: "We can incorporate personal finance and economics topics in math, social studies, family and consumer sciences and other courses, and in doing so can actually make the other courses more meaningful and more engaging to the student by providing practical applications.”

So why is it important to teach our youth personal finance issues? Graham explains.

Graham: "We need to teach our youth to know all they can about personal finance and economics because of the problems that have developed over the years with bankruptcies, people who are not credit worthy, people who misuse credit cards and people who can’t even count change.”

According to Graham, most youth aren’t getting the information they need in personal finance and economics.

Graham: "One of the reasons that youth are not literate in personal finance and economics is because they haven’t been trained, in most cases, at home or in the schools, and somebody must take charge and ensure that they do become literate.”

The Kansas Council on Economic Education is a nonprofit organization affiliated with all six of the state universities in Kansas. Graham said educating Kansas youth in grades K-12 in personal finance and economics is at the core of KCEE’s mission. And there are some significant benefits of students becoming financially literate.

Graham: “By becoming economically and financially literate, the students become more responsible citizens, better employees, wiser savers and investors, and more knowledgeable consumers.”
Graham explains how the KCEE is trying to help teachers and youth proactively learn for future generations.

Graham: “The Kansas Council on Economic Education tries to reach as many students as possible by training their teachers. We also can provide all of the standards-based curriculum materials that are needed to teach personal finance and economics. We also provide several programs that are very popular with students and teachers, including The Stock Market Game, LifeSmarts and Financial Foundations for Kids.”

Graham says although KCEE programs are helping thousands of students and hundreds of schools, the work is far from complete.

Graham: “Last year, more than 600 elementary, middle and high schools participated in our programs, but we won’t be satisfied until every student in Kansas becomes literate in personal finance and economics. And we have a long ways to go.”

Graham said we are doing a disservice to our youths by failing to provide them with the training and understanding they need to be successful as adults. The good news, he said, is that we can make positive changes. KCEE believes that education is a key to turning in the right direction and is absolutely critical to ensuring a more prosperous future for Kansas.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for Wichita State University.