New grant funds financial literacy in Northeast Wisconsin schools

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – Cooperative Educational Service Agency 7 (CESA 7) recently received a Financial Literacy Innovation Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

This grant, totaling to $22,500, will be used to fund financial education through 2027 in the De Pere, Algoma, Denmark, Kewaunee, Kohler, Luxemburg-Casco, Mishicot, Sturgeon Bay and Wrightstown school districts.

Heading this Financial Futures Wisconsin Toolkit project is CESA 7 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Specialist Lindsay Allen and De Pere School District business teacher and Wisconsin Personal Finance Fellow Kerri Herrild.

CESA 7 is “one of 12 regional educational service agencies in Wisconsin, and our organization serves 38 school districts throughout Northeast Wisconsin,” said Allen. “Our work spans several areas of education, anywhere from curriculum and instruction, special education, student services and college and career readiness/career and technical education.”

CESA 7’s CTE department focuses “on helping schools prepare students for success beyond high school” added Allen. “This includes supporting Academic and Career Planning, coordinating Youth Apprenticeship opportunities through our Northeast Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship (NEWYA) program, assisting districts with career and technical education programs and funding and connecting educators with local businesses and community partners. A large part of our work is helping bridge the gap between education and the workforce.”

Financial literacy is a crucial part of education that has real-world impact. “Whether students pursue a degree, a job, the military or some combination of these, they will need to make financial decisions that will affect them for years to come,” said Herrild. “The generation before them didn’t have this class, and we have had to learn by making mistakes. Many students grow up seeing their parents making those financial mistakes without knowing that there are any other options.”

Herrild also hopes that this grant will positively impact teachers as well. “My hope is that all teachers involved in the grant will be more confident and enthusiastic while teaching personal financial literacy. A confident and excited teacher can create an impactful and engaging learning experience that students will remember.”

This program was launched on Oct. 28 at CESA 7’s Green Bay office, where representatives from different banks and credit unions discussed current financial trends and challenges for young adults.

“Ultimately, we want students to leave high school with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to make informed financial decisions, regardless of the path they choose after graduation,” said Allen.

More information about CESA 7 and their projects can be found at www.cesa7.org/.