NEWSLETTER | SPRING 2021
PROJECT UPDATEApplications Now Open to High School Educators Nationwide for Complimentary Access to finEDge
We are excited to announce that this fall, Jackson Charitable Foundation is supporting the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative to provide 100 teachers and approximately 5,000 high school students with free access to finEDge, a semester-long financial education curriculum designed by the University of Chicago in partnership with the Magnetar Capital Foundation. Targeting teachers new to teaching financial education, this sponsorship will provide students and teachers access to the high-quality curriculum along with extensive professional development and certification for participating educators.
TEACHER SPOTLIGHTThe Complexities of Decision-Making
"This course is different in that it also highlights the fact that decision-making is often complex, and dependent not only on the decision-maker's values but on the context of the situation as a whole. While we can talk about saving and spending in a theoretical sense, showing situations that may happen in real life add a level of complexity to decision-making. This teaches our students compassion, how to view situations from others' shoes, and how to think outside of themselves." — Christina Castillo
WHAT WE'RE READINGFearless Woman: Financial Literacy and Stock Market Participation
The “fearless woman” in the title of this paper by Tabea Bucher-Koenen, Rob Alessie, Annamaria Lusardi, and Maarten van Rooij is Wall Street’s famous “fearless girl” all grown up. As the authors note, women tend to have less confidence in their financial knowledge, which can be detrimental “in the context of long-term financial decisions such as investment, private saving, and wealth accumulation”. The “fearless woman” is a model for improving women’s financial well-being. The paper makes several important contributions.
IN REAL LIFELearn About Money While You Can
"Take this class seriously, and have fun in the process. I know staying engaged and motivated while learning during the pandemic is hard, but it’s even harder running headfirst into the world with no true understanding of finance. Money comes in many forms, and it's your job to learn and understand the ways and concepts of those forms." — Anissa L. Jones
CAREER CORNERRelationships Are Key to Success in Sales
"A position in sales can be challenging, but at the end of the day it is a very rewarding field to be in. It takes time to build relationships, but always be willing to learn and meet new people. You never know where you'll end up." — Xavier Morgan
NOTABLE MENTIONNew York Times Feature
A recent article describing the heightened interest in financial literacy education mandates included the UChicago Financial Education Initiative. Director Rebecca Maxcy discussed the benefits of a single-semester personal finance course and ideas for talking about money with children.
LOOKING AHEADfinEDge Available for 2021–22 School Year
Teach finEDge and help your students navigate financial decisions with confidence. finEDge is available to schools across the country for the 2021–22 school year through the Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
