“It’s fun, exciting, and will be good for the community for years to come” - Gene Natali, Jr., CFA, Financial Literacy Committee Chair, CFA Society Pittsburgh.
Five years ago, CFA Society Pittsburgh launched the “Financial Literacy Project” to empower and prepare Pennsylvania’s students for the money choices they will make and also to work more closely with high school educators through an annual continuing-education program.
Gene Natali, Jr., CFA, is Committee Chair of the Financial Literacy Committee and co-author of “The Missing Semester”, an award-winning financial guide that is taught in the classroom. Gene explained: “As part of the program, schools get to participate in state-wide research being performed by a team from Penn State Behrend measuring the efficacy of teaching personal finance. They receive access to a shared Classroom Assignment Portal, classroom specific fact sheets, and certificates of achievement for participants.”
The Financial Literacy Project is run by a committee of 40-45 individuals who have worked with over 150 schools. Committee members go into schools to present on financial literacy topics and use technology to share classroom assignments, which are developed by the teachers. As Gene noted: “We rely on the strengths of teachers to teach and we provide the industry expertise.”
Since the launch of the program, CFA Society Pittsburgh has developed strong partnerships with educators and government officials, and raised its brand awareness locally. This has culminated in an official endorsement by the Pennsylvania Treasurer’s Office supporting the statewide expansion of Financial Literacy Education in high schools across the region. Gene said, “The State Treasurer had spoken about financial literacy in his campaign and once elected, we met with him and he was fully supportive.” He expects that the program will continue to grow as a result of this endorsement.
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The program is benefitting pupils and schools alike. Results from the 2018 program show a 30.21% improvement in student’s financial behaviour scores and a 69.28% improvement in their self-esteem. Mike Palano, Business Education Teacher, North Hills School District commented: “CFA Society of Pittsburgh has been an active and influential presence in my classroom. The industry professionals that dedicate their time have made a positive impact on educators and students through their passion for financial literacy. I think the biggest impact that CFA Society members have made is that they show students the opportunities that are available to them if they are willing to learn and apply the financial knowledge.”
Moving forward, CFA Society Pittsburgh will be working closely with CFA Society Philadelphia, as it has agreed to help sponsor the expansion of the Financial Literacy Project. Gene commented: “We are thrilled! It’s a great way to connect the state, and our expectations are for a strong partnership.”
For more information on this initiative, click here .
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