Beech Tree News Network

When Kentucky’s high school freshmen start school in the 2020-21 school year, they’ll be expected to complete a new financial literacy course or program to graduate. Courses or programs that meet the financial literacy standards are now a requirement for high school graduation. 
While students will be exposed to financial literacy through business career pathways, and economic concepts through social studies standards Kentucky has determined the need to go further.  Financial literacy education is crucial to student success.  Whether students go directly into the workforce or college after high school, they’ll need money management skills.
According to Assistant Superintendent Robert Tuck, “We try to be as proactive as we can making sure students have what they need to be transition ready which includes financial literacy.”
Junior Achievement and the Young Athenas  teamed up to bring the JA Girl$ program presented by Citizens First Bank, to girls and young women. Butler County Middle School Girls in 7th Grade attended this program. The Young Athenas of Bowling Green is a prestigious group of young professionals who have received the Young Athena award through the Chamber of Commerce. These women presented during the program and served as strong, positive, role models to the girls and young women who attended the JA Girl$ event at SKYCTC.

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The JA Girl$ program is a gender-specific initiative designed to teach girls and young women about financial literacy, career preparation, and entrepreneurship. According to Fortune Magazine, 9 out of 10 women in the United States will be responsible for their family's finances at some time due to an increasing divorce rate and women's longer lifespan.  The JA Girl$ program seeks to teach girls in a way that is tailored to their learning style while offering a strong female role model as their teacher.