Students who have a basic understanding of economics are making informed decisions about budgeting, saving, and investing. At Wheeling High School, where financial literacy is taught, the instruction just became more relevant and accessible to students thanks in part to a grant from Discover Financial.
Discover Financial recently awarded Wheeling High School a $19,900 grant to purchase 50 iPads for two classrooms used to teach business courses. Students will be able to download financial tools and apps that are accessible to them on their iPad devices, as well as workbook materials and tests that are available digitally, eliminating the need for paper workbooks and teaching materials. Students also will have immediate access to financial news and world markets, which can generate in-depth classroom discussions about potential effects on personal finances. The iPads would remain in the classroom to be used by all students enrolled in the Introduction to Business course each year. Topics covered include banking, budgeting, credit, the stock market, savings and investing, taxes, and housing.
According to the National Standards for Financial Literacy, students with an increased sense of financial literacy will learn how their personal situation and preferences affect their decision making, which will lead to lifestyle determinations and informed choices. Society benefits from this informed decision making as well. People who work, spend, save, borrow, invest, and manage money wisely, as well as take personal responsibility for their finances, are less likely to rely on public or private assistance in the future.
