07/09/08

We come across the issue of money at nearly every age. Now with teenagers having easy access to credit cards and banking accounts, education and state officials find it's the perfect time to give students financial education.

Introducing students to the real world in the classroom can give them a great start on life.

With students racking up billions in credit card debt - many search for reasons why this happened.

Now the Idaho Credit Union League - University Of Idaho Extension - among others are providing courses across the state to teachers and other educators the importance about money and how to fit these topics into the curriculum.

UI Extension Educator Lyle Spencer says, "In the high schools it's tough because we have a lot of standards and a lot of different curriculums we want to be covered, we are doing a better job in Idaho getting the personal finance covered, but I think it's just finding time during the year is always a struggle."

When realizing the importance of this course, Spencer says they reached out to the state for support.

"We contacted Lori Otter and set up a meeting to see if she would endorse this program, she agreed."

Donna Spencer, a teacher at Jerome High School, has taken this training before and brought back the ideas to her advisory committee. Now she plans to teach a financial education class to juniors at Jerome High School next spring.

Donna says, "We're just finding that so many kids are getting out and they're already up to their necks in debt so I think it's going to be really beneficial if we can get them a little more educated on the saving end rather the spending end."

If you are interested in taking this course call 324-7578.