In celebration of the importance of financial education in shaping the future of our community’s youth, Colorado Governor Jared Polis officially proclaimed this April as Financial Literacy Month in the State of Colorado. JA-Rocky Mountain President & CEO Robin Wise and Vice President of Public Affairs Amy Sherman visited the State Capitol this month to celebrate the proclamation.
The proclamation comes at a time when there is unprecedented momentum and interest in early economic and financial education, reflecting a growing recognition of its importance in shaping future generations. Research by JA and the firm Big Village shows that interest in financial literacy begins early for many young people. A survey of 1,002 teens conducted in July 2024 found that 68% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 would be “likely” to take a class on financial literacy topics. However, only 31% of those surveyed said that they had access to these kinds of courses in school.
JA-Rocky Mountain is a leader in financial literacy programs, with rigorous, multi-year curriculum that aligns with state educational standards, shown by third-party evaluations to have a positive impact on students’ financial readiness. “It’s essential for financial literacy courses to use evidence-based methods that effectively improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors – going beyond basic online modules that may not reliably achieve these outcomes,” said Robin Wise, President and CEO of JA-Rocky Mountain. “Programs like nationally recognized JA Finance Park have proven impact – 87% of students who participate feel they have more control over how their future will turn out – and are offered at no cost to schools.”
Financial literacy programs provided by JA-Rocky Mountain are hands-on and interactive, allowing students to connect what they are learning in the classroom to the real world. “A lot of times, financial literacy curricula can be dry and unentertaining, but Junior Achievement is the supplemental puzzle piece that is missing from most curricula,” says Lindsie Myers, a Vocational Teacher at Otho Stuart Middle School in Commerce City. “It provides me with interactive and engaging lessons and activities to keep students performing and engaged in financial literacy.”
JA-Rocky Mountain also provides accredited teacher training in addition to its renowned student programs. This is possible thanks to a 2024 merger of JA-Rocky Mountain and Economic Literacy Colorado (ELC). Economic and financial literacy training for teachers is critical to the state’s efforts to increase the financial capabilities of Coloradans. The U.S. Strategy for Financial Literacy states that financial education providers must know the material they are teaching and effectively present it to students.
