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Educators from around the country will be in Tucson for a UA-based training session on financial education.

By University Communications
June 3, 2008

More than 100 educators from across the nation will attend the seventh annual National Financial Literacy Training in Tucson later this month.

The University of Arizona’s Family Economics and Financial Education program, part of the Take Charge America Institute for Consumer Financial Education and Research, is designed to equip educators with the skills and educational materials to teach a semester-long course on financial literacy.

The program is based in the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences in the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The course, “Take Charge of your Finances,” is geared for those who will go on to provide financial education to students, parents, other educators and community members. Michael Staten, director of the Take Charge America Institute, will offer a keynote speech focusing on understanding credit scores. The program runs June 16-19.

Deborah Haynes, a UA associate professor of family and consumer economics, will speak on family economics. Scott Peterson with SVP Payment Strategies at Wells Fargo Bank will talk about technology in consumer banking. Michael Sullivan, education director for Take Charge America, will discuss consumer protection issues.

Eleven award-winning master teachers also will conduct workshops covering topics including: values, goal setting, needs versus. wants, career development, spending plans, paychecks and taxes, saving and investing, housing, transportation, credit and identity protection.

Staten said a 2008 national survey by the Jump$tart Coalition showed that, when quizzed, high school seniors correctly answered less than half of the questions on financial literacy.

“This holds tremendous implications for the future of our students, parents and community members,” Staten said. “The challenge is clear. We must improve financial literacy in our communities.”