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Football

Kansas Launches Statewide Financial Education Initiative

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Treasurer Dennis McKinney and Visa Inc. have joined forces to tackle the problem of financial education among Kansas teenagers. They launched a statewide rollout of "Financial Football," an educational video game and classroom curriculum designed to improve money management skills of high school and middle school students. This free program is part of Visa's nationwide educational initiative with the NFL and NFL PLAYERS.

The program is a valuable resource that promotes Kansas values of savings and responsible spending. Treasurer McKinney emphasized the importance of educating young people in personal finances, stating, "Kids need to know how to make smart money management decisions early in life." The program is a result of a partnership between the Kansas State Treasurer's office, Visa, and the NFL.

Youth financial education is a significant concern, with 93% of Americans believing that all high school students should be required to take a class in financial education, according to a survey by Visa Inc. The free online game, available at www.kansas.financialfootball.com, puts students' fiscal knowledge to the test in an online simulation game environment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kansas State Treasurer's office, Visa Inc., and the NFL launched a statewide financial education initiative to improve money management skills of high school and middle school students.
  • The program, "Financial Football," is a free educational video game and classroom curriculum designed to promote Kansas values of savings and responsible spending.
  • The program is part of a national educational campaign with Visa, the NFL, and NFL PLAYERS, now in its sixth season.
  • The program has been distributed to every high school and middle school in Kansas, with plans to distribute it to every middle school in the state.
  • The program is part of a larger effort to promote financial education, with 93% of Americans believing that all high school students should be required to take a class in financial education.
  • The program is designed to benefit students in Kansas, providing them with the personal financial skills to achieve their financial goals.
  • The Kansas State Treasurer's office offers programs to educate students in personal finances, including the Money$mart program for middle school students and the Tomorrows Money program for high school and college students.

Statistics:

  • 93% of Americans believe that all high school students should be required to take a class in financial education (Source: Visa Inc. survey).
  • The "Financial Football" game is available online at www.kansas.financialfootball.com.
  • The program has been distributed to every high school in 29 states, including Kansas, since 2006.
  • The Kansas State Treasurer's office has reduced expenses while setting records in returning unclaimed property to rightful owners, increasing participation in the state higher education savings plan, and reforming its housing loan program to create jobs around the state.
  • In fiscal year 2010, the Treasurer's team managed operations to return over $65,000 to the State.

Sources:

  • Kansas State Treasurer's office
  • Visa Inc.
  • NFL
  • NFL PLAYERS
  • Practical Money Skills for Life (www.practicalmoneyskills.com)
  • What's My Score (www.whatsmyscore.org)

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