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Charles County Schools Add Online Financial Training to Curriculum

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 01/03/12

EverFi uses 3D gaming and other interactive tools to teach students financial literacy.

Charles County Public Schools has adopted an online program designed to teach high school students financial literacy. The Maryland district is using the EverFi Financial Literacy Platform for High Schools, which integrates 3D gaming, social networking, online animations, video, and messaging tools to educate students in complex financial concepts.

The 10-unit course offers six hours of programming aimed at teaching, assessing, and certifying students in topics that include credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, and 401(k)s. The system tracks the progress and score of each student and provides those who complete the course with a certification in financial literacy.

"EverFi is a unique way for me to connect with students on a variety of subjects," said Debra Davis, a teacher at North Point High School. "The students enrolled in the program ask better questions and engage in conversations that may not take place without EverFi. I have found that this supports objectives, assessments, and instruction in a positive manner."

Added student Ebony Poe, "I really like EverFi. I learned about different types of banks and student loans. I also learned the difference between a credit card and debit card. My favorite section was savings. I really learned a lot about savings and all that goes along with saving like needs and wants and how to budget my money. EverFi helped me learn things that my parents didn't learn until they were grown and on their own."

The program is being sponsored by local banking system Community Bank of Tri-County, which is supplying the curriculum to the schools at no cost.

"One of the best things that we can do for the upcoming generation is to help educate children about the importance of making wise financial decisions," said Jim DiMisa, the chief operation officer for the bank.