Cincinnati Public Schools to teach financial concepts in K-12

I have read several articles about schools mandating financial literacy curricula.  Here’s one from the Cincinnati Business Courier –

Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Mary Ronan introduced on Tuesday a plan to teach a financial education to CPS students from kindergarten through grade 12.

Ronan made the announcement at a news conference with Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor.

“Today’s economy has taught us how important it is graduate well-rounded students who know how to thrive amid financial challenges,” Ronan said in a news release.

The curriculum was developed by the University of Cincinnati’s Economics Center for Education & Research. The idea grew from the Accounting For Kids program, an annual workshop for fifth- and sixth-graders that teaches financial literacy concepts. Cincinnati Public Schools students also participate in the program.

In kindergarten, for example, children will participate in activities centered on the financial side of owning a pet. By third grade, each child will have a classroom “job” and spend school-based currency at a mobile incentive van. Fifth-graders will learn about microenterprises and eighth-graders will study the basics of investing.

On the high school level, UC’s Economics Center for Education & Research, with input from more than 60 volunteers from the business community, will redesign CPS’ economics courses to include personal finance lessons like budgeting and managing a checking account.

New Ohio graduation requirements mandate that high school students study personal finance, beginning with the 2009-10 academic year.

I’ll watch the progress of other schools to do the same!