Sterling Bank has supplied the popular personal finance curriculum of esteemed financial radio host and author Dave Ramsey to all Poplar Bluff Junior and Senior High students taking related business classes this school year.
The High School has begun using the online version of “Foundations in Personal Finance” in its personal finance classes taught to students grades 10-12, and the Junior High plans to supplement its exploring careers elective taught by Mike Berry with the workbook version designed for younger students.
“Financial responsibility and education are key to the long-term success of all individuals,” stated Kenny Moore, Sterling Bank executive vice president. “As a community bank, we want to be an active participant in our community’s efforts to improve the financial education of our citizens. We believe this education process should begin at a young age, and we know this is an investment in the future.”
The Poplar Bluff-headquartered bank has been sponsoring a growing number of school systems since last year now totaling 14 throughout its service area, according to bank officials. The curriculum, which meets education department standards in all 50 states, has been taught in more than 40 percent of high schools across the country over the past decade, according to the Ramsey Education website.
Many area school districts have adopted the program, noted Tracey Hall, PBHS business department chairwoman. Principal Mike Owen added that the High School had been interested in the material for some time. Students are never too young to begin learning the importance of managing their finances, PBJHS Principal Candace Warren observed.
“It is truly a skill that is lacking in our society today among so many,” Warren said. “I am very pleased that we will get this opportunity to help students start to think about their future and begin to learn how very important financial security is and hopefully provide them with the skills and knowledge they need that will help them down the road as adults.”
The digital edition of the course for the High School is 12 chapters featuring about 90 hours of content and 100 activities, plus a bonus section about entrepreneurship and the global economy, according to a Ramsey Solutions spokesperson. The hard copy version for the Junior High is six chapters long equaling around 24 hours of content, with an additional four hours of video streaming available.
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Cutline: (From left) Mike Owen, Tracey Hall and Kenny Moore are pictured holding the High School version of “Foundations in Personal Finance.”