H&R Block Offers Personal Finance Curriculum to High Schools Nationwide; Public Vote Will Determine Grant Recipients

An election year is upon us. While Americans consider who will win their presidential vote this fall, teachers are asking people to cast a ballot for something else in the meantime – their students. Knowing most teenagers gradate high school with little knowledge about managing their money, H&R Block Dollars & Sense is offering personal finance curriculum to high schools to help increase teens’ financial fitness. Teachers nationwide have applied for Dollars & Sense grants, but with candidates this compelling, determining winners is no easy task. And this is where the general public comes in.  Through April 17, anyone can vote for the schools they want to see teaching personal finance by visiting www.facebook.com/hrbds or www.hrblockdollarsandsense.com.

Grant recipients will receive online curriculum that covers lessons ranging from time management to budgeting and avoiding debt. When asked about the impact H&R Block’s donated curriculum has had on his students, Dollars & Sense teacher Paul Phlieger of Quinlan, Texas, said it’s a great tool that he wishes more teachers had access to.

“Not one kid goes through our school that this curriculum wouldn’t be effective for. Not one,” Phlieger said.   

This spring, 250 additional teachers will receive curriculum grants. To help more teachers like Phlieger, people are encouraged to review teachers’ applications and show their support online.

“Knowledge is power, and we’re committed to helping provide more kids with the knowledge they need to make smart financial decisions when they’re on their own,” said Phil Mazzini, president of H&R Block Retail/Assisted Tax. “We believe that helping kids understand money is an investment in everyone’s future.”

For more information visit www.hrblockdollarsandsense.com or www.facebook.com/hrbds.

About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) has prepared more than 575 million tax returns worldwide since 1955, making it the country’s largest tax services provider. In fiscal 2011, H&R Block had annual revenues of $3 billion and prepared more than 24.5 million tax returns worldwide, including Canada and Australia. Tax return preparation services are provided in company-owned and franchise retail tax offices by approximately 100,000 professional tax preparers, and through H&R Block At Home™ digital products. The H&R Block Bank provides affordable banking products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Online Press Center.