Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is financial and economic education important?
    Children form opinions and habits at early ages and helping them understand basic financial and economic principles and concepts as they grow gives them a strong foundation and sequential preparation for handling their personal finances.  As students gain an understanding of how the world works, they are able to make real-world connections to what they are learning in school.  Students exposed to an economic way of thinking and to personal financial concepts at age appropriate levels can more easily apply sound decision-making skills, develop stable saving and spending habits, and link education success to career and life success.
  • What is the Utah K-12 Financial and Economic Education Integration and Passport program?
    The Utah State Legislature has directed the public schools to help our students become more financially and economically literate through a K-12 integration model.  Specific financial and economic concepts to be integrated into core areas are identified in the legislation.  Teacher groups have identified the grade level at which each concept will be integrated.  The integration matrix is available below.
     
    The Utah K-12 Financial and Economic Education Integration and Passport program is the scaffolding model designed to help Utah students gain basic financial and economic understanding throughout their K-12 education.  Financial and Economic Education integration and Passports are available at the elementary, middle school/junior high, and high school levels.  The capstone experience is the high school financial literacy course required for graduation.
     
    The program has two parts:
  1. Integrated Activities
     The Utah K-12 Financial and Economic Education program integrates age-appropriate financial and economic concepts into existing core areas of math, social studies, and language arts.  For example, when learning addition, a student may be asked to show a savings account balance if $3 is deposited each month for 6 months along with a brief discussion about saving.  These activities will be completed as in-class activities or homework assignments. See: Key Concept Overview
  2. Passport Completion
    The Utah K-12 Financial and Economic Education program offers optional Passport recognition for students who complete the integrated lessons described above and the additional at-home or community activity.  A Passport may be earned at each K-12 grade level.
  • Does the Finance in the Classroom site provide information, resources, and ideas for parents/guardians?
    Absolutely!  Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to be involved in the Economic and Financial Education program.  A “Parent” section is provided on the site and provides many quality resources.
  • How will the Financial and Economic Education Passport be tracked?
    Completion of the integrated activities will be tracked for each student on a tri-fold document which is available on the Passport Page. The front will show the student’s name and school, the interior will show the integrated or in-class activities with student and/or teacher comments, and the back panel will give a suggested at-home or community activity. Each section will be signed by the teacher, student or parent/guardian upon completion. Students electing to complete the entire Passport including the at-home or community activity will be responsible to return the signed tri-fold tracking document to the teacher.
  • What is the recognition/incentive for completing the Passport?
    Completion of the Passport is optional, and recognition or incentives are also optional and will vary by each school and each classroom. Completing the Passport can bring intrinsic rewards, but principals and teachers may elect to provide additional recognition/incentives.  Parents/guardians may also choose to provide recognition for their student at home.  Some community partners may work with a school to provide recognition/incentives. Utah Financial and Economic Education Passport award certificates are available at www.financeintheclassroom.org.
    Parents/guardians should be encouraged to discuss the availability of recognition/incentives with teachers or principals before students elect to complete the Passport.
  • Are schools required to implement this program?
    Yes.  K-12 teachers are required to include the integration of financial/economic concepts into core areas and to offer the Passport program to students.  However, completion of the Passport is an optional choice for students.  Only students completing both the in-class integrated lessons and an At-Home activity will receive a Passport certificate.
  • Questions?
    Please contact Julie Felshaw, Utah State Office of Education, 801-538-7859.