The Value of Teaching About Money　(2/2)

As of 3 years ago, half of all states required students to take a class in personal finance. Yet that number has fallen, from 25 to 22.

The National Council on Economic Education sells textbooks for grades four through 12. It also offers free materials for teachers. The information is available at ncee.net.

Teachers say parents also need to play a larger part in educating their children about money. A recent study found that 70% of college students said they received financial advice mainly from their parents. Investment companies also offer information. Charles Schwab, for example, has a Web site to help parents teach their kids about money and investing. The address is SchwabMoneyWise.com.

One of the first tastes of financial independence that many young people get is through summer jobs. Junior Achievement is an organization that teaches young people about finance and business. It says almost three-fourths of young people questioned said they planned to have a summer job.