Financial Literacy in GCPS: Preparing students for future success

     In Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), preparing our students for their future, whether their path leads to college or a career, includes exposure to financial literacy. The Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) are Gwinnett’s standards for grades K-12. Financial literacy concepts are included in lessons shared with our youngest learners and across all grade levels.

     “The AKS introduces Gwinnett County Public Schools’ students to economic understandings starting in Kindergarten,” shares Director of K-5 Social Studies Dr. Jeremy Nix. “Through 3rd grade, students continue learning basic economic understandings such as income, making choices due to scarcity, opportunity costs, goods and services, productive resources, and costs and benefits of personal saving and spending choices.”

     In the Social Studies curriculum, 4th and 5th graders use basic economic concepts to illustrate historical events.

      Dr. Nix adds, “It is also in 4th and 5th grades that students begin to learn the basics of financial literacy including the components of a personal budget and why personal spending and saving decisions are important. Students are given opportunities to participate in simulations where they create budgets and practice making wise financial decisions to determine the best way to save and spend money.”

     As students reach their middle and high school years, they will encounter more opportunities to strengthen their financial knowledge. GCPS’ partnership with Junior Achievement of Georgia supports the JA Discovery Center at Gwinnett which provides an immersive learning experience in JA BizTown and JA Finance Park.

     “Financial literacy is incorporated into several grade 6-12 Social Studies courses,” says Director of 6-12 Social Studies Shirelle Tubbs. "This is important in 6-12 Social Studies because it helps students understand how money works in everyday life, make smart financial decisions, and be better prepared for the world around them. It also teaches them how financial systems impact both their personal lives and society."

     Tubbs recommends that families can review GCPS Financial Literacy Offerings, which outlines how financial literacy is embedded within the curriculum across various grade levels and courses in 6-12 Social Studies and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE).

     "Financial literacy education is essential for our students because it equips them with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives,” says Dustin Davis-Austin, who serves as GCPS’ Director of Academies and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education. “By teaching students how to manage money, save, invest, prepare taxes and avoid debt, we are preparing them to navigate an increasingly complex financial world and setting them up for long-term economic success and stability."

Here are the CTAE career clusters and courses that include financial literacy within the AKS:

Government & Public Administration

Aerospace Leadership (JROTC)

Naval Science IV (JROTC)

 

Business, Management & Administration

Global Awareness & Cultural Competency (part of the International Business pathway)

Business Communications

Entrepreneurship

 

Finance

Financial Literacy

Principles of Accounting I

Principles of Accounting II

 

Marketing

Marketing Principles

Marketing & Entrepreneurship

 

Middle School Courses:

Junior Leadership Corps, Grade 6

Junior Leadership Corps, Grade 7

Junior Leadership Corps, Grade 8

Family & Consumer Science, Grade 6

Family & Consumer Science, Grade 7

Family & Consumer Science, Grade 8