Nebraska Financial Literacy Standards
Champlain College compiles a National Report Card every other year to track data regarding how well each state meets benchmarks for teaching financial literacy in its elementary and high schools. In 2015, the Cornhusker State received a “C” for its financial education criteria. Although Nebraska has adopted standards that include money management instruction in its high school social studies curriculum, no specifically identified course containing personal finance concepts is required for high school graduation in Nebraska.
While Nebraska requires local school districts to meet or exceed the criteria for personal finance training, it’s unclear how the state’s Department of Education monitors compliance at the district level. However, Nebraska’s C grade may improve soon – the state Treasurer’s office has launched an initiative to promote financial literacy instruction for high school students, and the DOE has created links that are tied to the personal finance standards for teachers to use in their classrooms.
The Cornhusker State includes personal finance in its standards for K-12 education, and those standards must be implemented district-by-district, says the Council for Economic Education (CEE). However, no high school course in money skills is required to be offered or taken, and Nebraska has no standardized testing for personal finance knowledge.
National Standards for Financial Education
Financial Literacy Standards for Older Youth & Adults (High School through Adults)
Although there is no direct mandate by the California State Board of Education, it is recommended that national standards be implemented. Financial education is a unique subject; all participants have developed financial habits and relationships with money before instruction begins.
National standards are those that have been proven in empirical and theoretical research to produce the highest improvements in participant test scores.
Financial Literacy Standards for Kids (Kids PK through 8th Grade)
In collaboration with education leader Heidi Jacobs, the NFEC created these financial literacy standards to define learning goals and educational targets for optimal child financial education. Guided by strong pedagogical theory, the standards ensure that instructional targets are age- and developmentally-appropriate and that lessons can be effectively scaffolded. Standards represent five sections based on topic areas in the NFEC curriculum.
Standards for Financial Education Instructors
The NFEC teamed with the well-known Danielson Group to develop the first and only national standards for financial educators – The Framework for Teaching Personal Finance – to define optimal educator skill sets and performance levels. The framework also identifies the financial educator responsibilities empirically proven to produce highest gains in participant test scores. This framework is used in all 50 states, including California.
