For Immediate Release
April 3, 2005
Contact: Susan Miller
317-816-9760
smiller@hickmanassociates.com 2005 Indiana Financial Literacy Conference
Conference presents first report card on IN high school seniors financial literacy
(March 29, 2005, Indianapolis, IN) — Syndicated money columnist Michelle Singletary and state leaders will address more than 200 Indiana K-12 educators during the 2005 Indiana Financial Literacy Conference, presented by Networks Financial Institute and Indiana State University, on April 26 at the downtown Indianapolis Marriott. A highlight of the agenda will be a presentation of the first state-specific research regarding the financial literacy knowledge of Indiana high school seniors.
The Financial Literacy Report Card was conducted by MarketVibes research firm and measures the financial management skills of Indiana high school seniors. Complementing the survey is the Financial Literacy Activities Inventory, currently being conducted to identify curriculum, projects and discussions Indiana teachers are using to expose their students to financial literacy.
Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the innovative Smart Desktop technology resource being developed for Indiana teachers by the Indiana Humanities Council, as well as Junior Achievement of Central Indiana’s “simulated community” Junior Finance Park, along with other resources available to help educators, family and youth improve their financial literacy. Substitute teacher stipends and implementation grants will be available to Indiana educators attending the conference.
Networks Financial Institute awarded 11 implementation grants to Indiana educators in 2004, following the inaugural Indiana Jump$tart Teachers Summit.
Networks Financial Institute Executive Director Elizabeth A. Coit (formerly Georgakopoulos) says that the conference aims to provide Indiana K-12 teachers with resources they can easily integrate into existing curriculum. “The objective of the conference is to serve as a resource clearinghouse that provides educators with the most innovative standards-linked tools, techniques and materials available in teaching financial literacy,” she said.
Networks Financial Institute Director of Outreach David Godsted cited research that fewer than 25 percent of Americans feel comfortable talking to their children about money. “This research is reflective of high levels of debt, escalating bankruptcies and home foreclosures,” Godsted noted. He also noted that as many parents struggle with personal financial management skills, teachers are often responsible for teaching basic money management skills.
Dr. Lloyd Benjamin, president of Indiana State University noted that the conference will introduce resources to teachers instructing at all levels. “In an ideal situation, we would be able to introduce simple financial management concepts at the earliest grade levels. We expect that the report card presented at the meeting will make a strong case for introducing financial literacy into the curriculum in the primary education years and continuing that education through the college years,” he noted.
To learn more about the Financial Literacy Conference or to register, please visit www.isunetworks.org or call (317) 536-0281 / 800-639-4777.
Networks Financial Institute was founded in 2003 as an outreach of Indiana State University with a grant from the Lilly Endowment. The non-profit organization focuses efforts on advancing important issues facing the financial services industry through research, education and outreach including a strong focus on improving financial literacy of all Americans. Networks Financial Institute is headquartered in Indianapolis with offices on the campus of Indiana State University and outreach in Washington, D.C. For more information about Networks Financial Institute, visit
www.networksfinancialinstitute.org.