(Alexandria, Va. – October 30, 2008) – With the turbulent economy and record number of home foreclosures, what can Americans do to improve their financial situations and help prevent similar catastrophes in the future? Fortunately for many secondary school students, family and consumer sciences (FCS) education, formerly called home economics education, is alive and well in many states, and providing personal finance and other critical life skills to generations of consumers. Unfortunately, personal finance education, taught by FCS and other educators, is only required for high school graduation in a handful of states.
“During these trying economic times and with the high number of dual-income families, our youth need the skills taught in family and consumer sciences classes now more than ever,” said Marilyn Swierk, CFCS, president-elect of the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and former award-winning FCS secondary school educator.
For nearly a century, FCS classes have been teaching important “life skills” to help individuals and families improve their quality of life. Approximately 5.5 million secondary students are enrolled in FCS classes in the U.S. These students learn how to manage financial resources, achieve a healthy lifestyle, prepare and choose nutritious meals, explore careers, prepare for employment, make wise consumer decisions, resolve conflicts, and nourish quality relationships. FCS classes also provide students with opportunities to apply and reinforce what they learn in their core classes, such as math, science, and English.
Countless FCS educators see first-hand how the personal finance skills they teach are making a difference in the lives of their students. Teri Wilson, CFCS, an FCS educator and AAFCS member from Illinois, was recently contacted by a former student in the military who wanted to put her finances in order and asked for the budget worksheets they had used in class. Indiana FCS educator Mona Heck had a student who opened an IRA soon after they discussed investing during her FCS class. The bank teller said that her student was the youngest person he had ever known to open this type of account.
“It’s time to make personal finance education a priority in our high school curriculum. Education for our young people today will produce more informed and competent adult consumers tomorrow,” said Carolyn W. Jackson, CFCS, AAFCS executive director.
About AAFCS
Founded in 1909 as the American Home Economics Association, the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is the only national not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization providing leadership and support to FCS students and professionals in multiple practice settings. FCS professionals help individuals, families, and communities make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. AAFCS’ more than 6,000 members are elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, researchers, and administrators; Cooperative Extension educators; and other professionals in business and industry, not-for-profit organizations, and government. With national headquarters based in Alexandria, Va., AAFCS has 52 affiliates located across the United States and Puerto Rico.
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Gwynn Mason at 703-706-4600, ext. 4621 or gmason@aafcs.org.