Money matters taught

The article, “High school students lack financial basics” (BDN, March 14), made some very good points. Students in Maine and elsewhere are graduating without learning how to use credit or balance a checkbook. Nearly half of all graduating seniors in the nation last year could not answer basic questions about personal finance, and that 17- and 18-year-olds are making choices regarding their futures – choices that have huge financial implications.

I expect most people reading the article agree with Sen. Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, when she says: “These are basic life skills and they certainly should be gotten somewhere along the way in our schools.”

I would like to point out that a curriculum already exists in some schools that does an excellent job addressing these very issues – it’s called Family and Consumer Sciences. You may remember the curriculum by another name – Home Economics. Many school systems made the decision to cut these programs in the 80s.

I am very fortunate to teach in the Old Town school system where the Family and Consumer Sciences program is valued and offered at both the high school and the middle school.

I would hate to see more committees formed to solve the problem of students not receiving instruction in personal finances. Let’s not reinvent the wheel – if your child’s school does not offer Family and Consumer Sciences, lobby for it.

In addition to the economics lessons, students learn important life skills regarding personal relationships, conflict resolution, and food and nutrition. Mathematics, reading comprehension, and good communication skills are integrated into all lessons on a daily basis.

You will be hard pressed to find a better bang for your educational buck.

Marion Floyd Gray

Family and Consumer Sciences teacher

Leonard Middle School

Old Town