The Florida Council on Economic Education Leads the Charge in Celebrating April as Financial Literacy Month
The FCEE is highlighting the importance of financial literacy and resources for teachers and students alike across the state
TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 1, 2024: The Florida Council on Economic Education (FCEE) is excited to usher in Financial Literacy Month. Financial Literacy Month is recognized each year in April to bring awareness to the significance of economic understanding, fostering monetary education and encouraging the cultivation of healthy money habits.
Financial literacy empowers individuals to make better decisions for their future, facilitates financial independence, bolsters economic stability and resilience, and promotes the virtues of saving and investment. Financial literacy is crucial for fostering mental well-being among individuals, enabling them to make informed decisions that reduce stress while promoting financial wellness. It acts as a tool in alleviating poverty and contributing to public safety, laying the groundwork for a prosperous and secure state.
In the United States, we are experiencing a financial literacy crisis. Research reveals that a mere 24% of millennials demonstrate basic financial knowledge. The repercussions of this deficit are profound. They include increased vulnerability to consumer debt such as credit card and student loan debt, lack of planning and retirement, lack of savings or investments, etc. Nevertheless, we have a chance to change this narrative for future generations, empowering the next generation of Floridians with knowledge to manage their finances and make informed decisions for their future.
The Florida Council on Economic Education applauds the Florida legislature for recognizing the critical need for financial literacy education. Their enactment of the “Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act” in 2022 marked a significant milestone for financial education in Florida. The act requires that, starting with students entering grade 9 in the 2023-2024 school year, students must earn one-half credit in personal financial literacy and money management to receive a standard high school diploma. This initiative ensures that each student in Florida can learn skills that will set them up for future success, equipping them with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the financial world with confidence.
The Florida Council on Economic Education remains focused on their mission to prepare Florida’s young people for personal and financial success. Educational programs in economics, the free enterprise system and personal financial literacy help to propel this mission forward, enabling students to become productive members of the workforce, responsible consumers, and wise investors.
Teacher workshops, provided in partnership between the FCEE and centers for economic education across the state, provide training correlated to state standards. These trainings enable teachers to better integrate financial and economic education in their classrooms. Online resources, FCEE programs, and print resources such as “Financial Freedom,” enable students to deepen their grasp of financial concepts in fun and interactive ways. At the core of each of these programs, training, and resources is the desire to see Florida’s students better understand financial concepts that will set them up for future success.
“Financial Literacy Month serves as an important reminder and a chance to recognize the significance of investing in education across the state. This contribution is one that will pay dividends in the long-term success of Florida’s students and the financial health of citizens across the state,” said Suzanne Costanza, Executive Director at the Florida Council on Economic Education.