JA of Greater New Orleans, in Partnership with Liberty Bank, Provides Solution to New State Financial Literacy Requirement

Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans (JA) is proud to announce its leading role in advancing financial literacy education in Louisiana high schools. Following the State Legislature's mandate, all high school students must complete a course in Financial Literacy starting with this year’s incoming 9th grade class. This new requirement extends to TOPS eligibility for students graduating in 2028. As the pioneering organization in financial literacy education in our region for the past 70 years, JA of Greater New Orleans has developed a comprehensive curriculum, Financial Literacy for Louisiana, designed to equip students with essential financial skills and to align with the newly implemented Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) guidance for course content.

JA is also excited to announce that Liberty Bank has joined as our partner so that we can provide this custom curriculum to schools in Greater New Orleans at no cost. Further, Liberty Bank employees will support program delivery by volunteering in classrooms. They will also extend support to students’ families as they are given access to resources to strengthen their own personal finance skills.

To ensure the successful implementation and impact of this initiative, JA hosted its first professional development day, welcoming educators from Booker T. Washington High School, John F. Kennedy High School, Fredrick A. Douglass High School, East St. John High School, and West St. John High School. We expect future professional development sessions soon as more schools are adopting our curriculum.

This event provided educators with the tools and training necessary to deliver the JA financial literacy curriculum effectively. The curriculum, designed in coordination with JA USA, meets every requirement outlined by the State of Louisiana and offers hands-on, interactive lessons incorporating acclaimed JA programs like JA Finance Park, JA Stock Market Challenge, and JA Financial Capability.

Many young people enter adulthood without a solid understanding of personal finance topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, credit, and debt management. A financial literacy course teaches these concepts in a structured manner, empowering students to navigate financial challenges confidently. Financial education prepares young people for the responsibilities they will face as adults, including paying bills, managing bank accounts, filing taxes, and planning for major expenses like education, housing, and retirement.

Lack of financial knowledge can lead to costly mistakes such as overspending, incurring high-interest debt, falling victim to financial scams, or not saving enough for emergencies. Our financial literacy course will help students recognize and avoid these pitfalls and will empower young people to make informed decisions about career choices, college financing, entrepreneurship, and other aspects of their financial future. They are better equipped to evaluate financial options and assess risks.

JA Financial Literacy, supported by Liberty Bank, includes the following components:

·       Comprehensive Curriculum: JA provides a year-long curriculum (112 hours) that covers essential financial literacy topics and meets BESE requirements. 

·       Volunteer Engagement: Business professionals and community leaders will visit classrooms to share their expertise and provide real-world insights, enhancing students' learning experience.

·       Teacher Training and Support: JA offers training and ongoing support to educators, ensuring effective delivery of the curriculum.

Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans is committed to fostering a financially literate generation prepared to tackle the challenges of adulthood. JA aims to make a lasting impact on the financial futures of young people across Southeast Louisiana.

For more information, please contact:

Larry Washington, President

Email: Larry@jagno.org

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