Educating Youth and Impacting Lives

Chase reviews and approves the curriculum yearly to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Approximately 50 students participate annually in the program designed to teach essential financial concepts. The curriculum teaches students how to differentiate between needs and wants, understand the importance of short- and long-term savings and investments, and develop proper budgeting skills. These foundational financial literacy lessons equip students with valuable knowledge and enhance their future decision-making abilities.

Saving is something every kid should do. It allows them to purchase items that otherwise might be out of reach, keeps them out of financial trouble, and makes them more independent. Often, it means they can do more, as they have more choices or get additional cash. Subsequently, they can feel happier.

Savings help them stay focused on their goals, set objectives, and take a forward-looking posture. Consistent saving will accomplish so much more!

Understanding financial investments is also crucial for building a secure future, as it allows individuals to grow their money, plan for long-term goals, and prepare for unexpected events. For young students, grasping the basics of investing can be a decisive step toward lifelong financial health. By teaching children early about the role of investments in achieving financial goals, they learn that money has the potential to grow over time if managed wisely. This knowledge helps them understand concepts like compound interest, risk versus reward, and the value of patience in financial planning—skills that will serve them well as they progress into adulthood.

In those sessions, we introduce the concept of financial investments in simple, relatable ways. For example, we use activities that allow students to "invest" in hypothetical scenarios, showing them how different choices can lead to various outcomes. We focus on setting aside funds for future goals and balancing that with immediate needs, which helps them distinguish between spending, saving, and investing. By breaking down complex terms into practical, age-appropriate lessons, students appreciate the potential of investing and how it can support their aspirations. This foundational knowledge lays the groundwork for informed financial decisions, fostering a proactive approach to money management as they grow.

Financial literacy programs for kids have evolved significantly over the past seven years, shifting from basic budgeting and saving lessons to comprehensive, interactive curriculums that cover a broader range of financial concepts. Previously, financial literacy education primarily focused on teaching children to distinguish between needs and wants, save a portion of their money, and perhaps set short-term financial goals. Today’s programs have expanded to include more advanced topics such as investments, credit, digital payments, and entrepreneurship. With the rise of digital tools and gamified learning platforms, kids are now engaging with financial concepts through interactive games, simulations, and online modules, which make learning more engaging and tailored to real-world scenarios.

Today’s financial literacy programs emphasize the psychological aspects of money management, helping students develop responsible spending habits and a healthy money mindset early on. This is often coupled with teaching about social and environmental responsibility, encouraging kids to make financially sound decisions considering the broader impact on society. In addition, schools and communities increasingly recognize the value of financial literacy as a core life skill, resulting in more partnerships between educational institutions and economic organizations to bring these resources directly to students. This evolution reflects a more holistic approach to financial education, equipping young people with the tools to navigate an increasingly complex financial world with confidence and awareness.

According to Ralph Hildevert with JP Morgan/Chase, effectively measuring the program involves assessing immediate and long-term impacts on students in the classroom and at home. Given the nature of our program, our observations are primarily focused on short-term behaviors, specifically through our direct interactions with students during sessions and via assigned homework.

Each financial literacy session includes brief written and verbal exercises to track changes in vocabulary, knowledge, and understanding of key financial concepts. These assessments consist of quizzes and home assignments covering the material taught during the program. By the end, we observe students actively using newly learned financial terms and concepts, incorporating them into their vocabulary and discussing their own short- and long-term savings and budgeting plans.

There is a significant opportunity to build on these concepts and measure long-term progress in home and school environments, enhancing the lasting impact of financial literacy education.

This information has been provided by the City of Pompano Beach/Budget Office and was last updated in November 2024. 

This document was reviewed and refined using Grammarly, an AI-based writing assistant, for grammar and clarity.