Dallas ISD helps students make financial sense

Dallas ISD is dedicated to ensuring all students have the tools they need to thrive.

That includes empowering them to learn how to manage finances and how spending decisions impact their lives as a whole.

“Dallas ISD is doing a great job providing students with multiple avenues of graduating with degrees, associates and certificates. But when you think about the conversation around financial literacy, that too needs to be elevated,” said Shalon Bond, director of the Social Studies Department. “We’re helping them with careers, but we need to help them to be literate around money.”

Dallas ISD hosted a Financial Literacy Day on May 6. On that day, students throughout the district were introduced to lessons that foster the importance of developing a better understanding of money and how it impacts their daily lives.

From identifying coins and budgeting basics to learning about mortgages and how to invest for retirement, there will be something for all grade levels. And, for Bond, that’s the point.

“We want to bring it into the K-12 spaces,” she said. “That’s where the idea of Financial Literacy Day came into play — engaging all students across Dallas ISD in activities on how to be financially literate.”

While high school students have the option to take a personal financial literacy class, those conversations and lessons should start earlier, she added.

“Yes, we have the class. But that could also be something that students are grasping as early as kindergarten — money sense,” she said.

As part of Financial Literacy Day, schools signed up to have speakers from Bank of America give a presentation. So far, 75 campuses will be hosting Bank of America representatives.

“Financial literacy is important, especially for young people, because it builds a foundation for future financial health,” said Elena Hill, chief academic officer. “Understanding how money works will empower our students to transition into adulthood with the skills of budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and ultimately cultivating financial independence.”

This is the inaugural year of hosting Financial Literacy Day, but the district plans to make it an annual event. By continuing to invest in financial literacy education, Bond hopes Dallas ISD will lead by example in demonstrating to students as young as pre-K the value of the hard-earned dollar.

“Every year, students will see the importance of financial literacy. So, when they take the high school course, they are adding to their knowledge. Not jump starting their knowledge,” Bond said.

She also hopes the lessons teach students the role finances play in everyday life.

“It’s bigger than just understanding money. It’s also about understanding how it works and how it aids society,” she said. — Dallas ISD Staff Reports