GAO-07-100 Financial Literacy and Education Commission: Further Progress Needed to Ensure an Effective National Strategy

In 2003, the Financial Literacy and Educ. Comm. was created, which comprises 20 fed. agencies. In Dec. 2006 Hillman recommend. that the Comm.: (1) incorporate additional elements into its national strategy to help it serve as a true implementation plan, measure results, and ensure accountability; (2) expand current efforts to cultivate sustainable partnerships with states, localities, non-profits, and private entities; (3) obtain independent reviewers for the required assessments of overlap in fed. activities and the availability and impact of fed. materials; and (4) measure customer satisfaction with its Web site and test its usability. This statement discusses the Comm's. progress in implementing these recommend. and key challenges it faces.

Today's graduates should be grounded in the basics of personal finance and possess the skills and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions and take responsibility for their own financial well-being. Faced with an array of complex financial services and sophisticated products, many graduates lack the knowledge and skills to make rational, informed decisions on the use of their money and planning for future events, such as retirement. This book shows what you can do to improve financial literacy awareness and education. It covers the use of interactive games and tutorials, peer-to-peer mentoring, and financial literacy contests in addition to more formal education. It gives you a sample of approaches and experiences in the financial literacy arena. Divided into three parts, the book covers financial literacy education for grades K–12, college, and post-college.