The Colorado Department of Education

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Instructional Resources - Personal Financial Literacy

Teaching the Personal Financial Literacy expectations embedded within the Colorado Academic Standards is supported through a wide array of free instructional resources. This webpage lists just a few of these resources and will be updated regularly. If you are an educator in Colorado and have suggestions for a great free resource please email Stephanie Hartman. For additional opportunities please check Professional Development.

Debt.org - America's Debt Help and Resolution Organization

An organization that strives to give consumers a wealth of information on a broad range of topics related to their financial well-being. They offer tools such as financial calculators along with information that can help consumers manage their financial lives. They provide unparalleled content about a range of topics, such as reducing debt, finding student loans, maneuvering through real estate transactions and planning for retirement. All resources are provided free of charge.

The Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve education site provides numerous resources for teaching about financial literacy, economics, and banking. All resources and lesson plans are free.

Additionally, many of the Federal Reserve Banks have their own education sites with free educational resources:

Financial Fitness for Life

A new multifaceted, comprehensive economic and financial literacy program for grades K-12. Throughout this web site you'll find valuable information about the different components of the program and how teachers, parents, and students can put the materials to use.

Foundation for Teaching Economics

FTE programs introduce young individuals, selected for their leadership potential, to an economic way of thinking about national and international issues, and promote excellence in economic education by helping teachers of economics become more effective educators. The Foundation for Teaching Economics is pleased to make available to teachers the content outlines, classroom activities, and teacher materials (demonstration videos and lecture presentations) for all of our residential, one-day, and online curricula.

Junior Achievement

(JA) K-12 programs focus on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce development. These programs, delivered by volunteers, complement what is being taught in the classroom every day and meet the new Colorado Academic Standards.  Through JA, educators are able to access a network of 5,000 knowledgeable adult role-models who volunteer to bring JA’s hands-on programs to life and bridge the gap between what students learn in the classroom and the real world.  JA programs are free to schools.

Mathematics & Economics: Connections For Life

Mathematics and economics naturally complement each other. In today's era of interdisciplinary studies, this new curriculum- created especially for mathematics teachers-hits the educational target by showing how mathematics processes and concepts can be used to develop economics and personal financial knowledge. Mathematics teachers do not need to have a background in economics in order to implement the curriculum. 

McREL

At McREL, they believe that meeting the needs of America's educators and their students is paramount. Their staff of highly respected educators and researchers focuses on providing the highest quality, field-tested, research-based products and services available in PreK-16 education today. McREL offers free lessons on personal financial literacy. 

National Council on Economic Education (NCEE)

Their mission is clear, and they know that their methods and materials are effective in implementing it. Growing interest in the economy and in financial markets, in elementary and secondary education, in international education, and in educational standards, plays to NCEE's proven expertise and strengths. No other organization is in a better position to accomplish more in economic and financial education for the future. They are redoubling their efforts to reach America's teachers - because investing in teachers has proven to be the most effective way to get into the heads and hands of the nation's young people.

National Endowment for Financial Education

The National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) foundation dedicated to helping all Americans acquire the information and gain the skills necessary to take control of their personal finances. NEFE’s flagship program has promoted financial literacy to teachers and students for more than 25 years by providing an award-winning, evaluated, noncommercial financial education curriculum—complete with free classroom materials and lesson plans.

National Financial Educators Council

The NFEC provides financial education solutions to individuals, schools, businesses, families, government and non profit organizations around the globe to improve financial literacy. The NFEC offers comprehensive financial education services including: funding, promotion, education, measurement and programs for individuals

Operation HOPE

Operation HOPE is a national non-profit that aims to empower individuals and elevate their dignity, hope, and economic self-sufficiency. Banking on Our Future is Operation HOPE's award-winning financial literacy program geared toward students in grades 4-12. Teaching materials and guest instructors are available at no-cost to schools. Topics covered include: 1) the basics of banking and budgeting; 2) checking and savings accounts 3) the power of credit; and 4) basic investments. 

Young Americans Center for Financial Education

As experts in financial education, the Young Americans Center for Financial Education is committed to developing the financial literacy of young people through real-life experiences and hands-on programs purposefully designed to enable them to prosper in our free enterprise system.

For website assistance in PFL, please contact Stephanie Hartman.