Financial Literacy News from the Vermont Treasurer's Office Posted by AVCU on 3:50 PM

BIZ KID$ is a nationally televised show where kids teach other kids about personal finance. It is generously underwritten by America's Credit Unions and airs Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. on Vermont Public Television. In addition to lots of information about the show itself, the Biz Kid$ website contains lesson plans for parents and teachers to use when explaining personal finance to today's youth.

The National Financial Capability Challenge is an awards program designed to increase the financial knowledge and capability of high school aged youth across the United States so they can take control over their financial futures. It challenges high school teachers and other educators to teach the basics of personal finance to their students, and rewards students, educators, schools, and states for their participation and their success. Educators and top-scoring students will receive award certificates, and schools and states with the highest participation rates will earn special distinction. The next challenge testing dates are March 7- April 8, 2011 and the Treasurer's Office has posted information on the challenge, along with a toolkit link to help teachers prepare students for the online test, at http://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/financial-literacy/teacher-community-resources

The deadline for the next statewide Financial Literacy Poster contest is February 14. The theme for the 2011 Be Money Wi$e Financial Literacy Poster Competition is "Be a $uperhero! $ave Money!." The contest features three grade categories: elementary, 3rd-5th grades; middle school, 6th-9th grades; and high school, 10th-12th grades. Each grade category winner receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and their schools a $100 cash award in recognition of their support of financial literacy. The deadline for poster submissions to the Treasurer's Office is February 14, 2011. Winners will be recognized at a State House ceremony on April 14. Please remind any teachers or parents you know about the contest. A web page for the contest is found at: http://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/financial-literacy/postercontest