Throughout the school year, many students might be missing out on a critical class that could shape their futures: personal finance or financial literacy. According to research by Junior Achievement and research firm Big Village, 68% of teens would “likely” take a class on financial literacy (money management, personal finance) if offered to them, yet only 31% say they have access to these kinds of courses in school. This, despite research from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) that shows a lack of financial literacy among adults costs the United States nearly half a billion dollars annually.
“When you ask adults what they wish they learned in school but didn’t, it usually involves topics like understanding how money works,” said Tim Greinert, President of Junior Achievement USA. “These findings show that most teens today would like access to this kind of information, but many may not be getting it.”
The Importance of Financial Education
Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City offers learning experiences to students in grades K through 12 that focus on financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. JA programs are available at low or no cost to schools and reach more than 4.4 million students in the United States each year.
More Findings from the Survey
The survey of 1,002 teens between the ages of 13 and 17 uncovered several other key insights:
Career Readiness and Entrepreneurship: 60% of teens would “likely” take courses in work and career readiness and entrepreneurship if offered at school.
College Funding: 41% of teens would “likely” take courses on how to pay for college if offered.
Artificial Intelligence in Education: Interest in using AI for schoolwork has decreased. A year ago, 44% of teens said they would likely use AI to do their schoolwork but this year only 30% say they have actually used it for that purpose. Additionally, 54% of teens think using AI to do schoolwork instead of doing it themselves is “cheating,” down from 60% a year ago.
Survey Methodology
The Youth CARAVAN survey was conducted by Big Village among a sample of 1,002 13-17-year-olds between July 9-14, 2024. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have volunteered to participate in online surveys and polls. The survey is nationally representative, with quotas set based on census data, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.
This survey reveals a significant gap in the education system: despite strong demand from teens for financial education, access to these courses remains limited. Junior Achievement is actively addressing this issue by providing comprehensive programs that equip students with vital life skills. Recognizing and addressing this need is essential to ensure future generations are equipped with the financial knowledge and preparedness to face life’s challenges.
For more information on how Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City is making a difference, visit jagkc.org.
68% of Teens Want Financial Education, but Only 31% Can Access It
Throughout the school year, many students might be missing out on a critical class that could shape their futures: personal finance or financial literacy. According to research by Junior Achievement and research firm Big Village, 68% of teens would “likely” take a class on financial literacy (money management, personal finance) if offered to them, yet only 31% say they have access to these kinds of courses in school. This, despite research from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) that shows a lack of financial literacy among adults costs the United States nearly half a billion dollars annually.
“When you ask adults what they wish they learned in school but didn’t, it usually involves topics like understanding how money works,” said Tim Greinert, President of Junior Achievement USA. “These findings show that most teens today would like access to this kind of information, but many may not be getting it.”
The Importance of Financial Education
Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City offers learning experiences to students in grades K through 12 that focus on financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. JA programs are available at low or no cost to schools and reach more than 4.4 million students in the United States each year.
More Findings from the Survey
The survey of 1,002 teens between the ages of 13 and 17 uncovered several other key insights:
Survey Methodology
The Youth CARAVAN survey was conducted by Big Village among a sample of 1,002 13-17-year-olds between July 9-14, 2024. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have volunteered to participate in online surveys and polls. The survey is nationally representative, with quotas set based on census data, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.
This survey reveals a significant gap in the education system: despite strong demand from teens for financial education, access to these courses remains limited. Junior Achievement is actively addressing this issue by providing comprehensive programs that equip students with vital life skills. Recognizing and addressing this need is essential to ensure future generations are equipped with the financial knowledge and preparedness to face life’s challenges.
For more information on how Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City is making a difference, visit jagkc.org.
Archives
Categories
Archives
Categories
Meta