About the Foundation
APEF is a nonprofit founded to provide programs and services that support high-quality public education. We serve the interests of America’s schoolchildren – our nation’s future leaders. The Foundation believes in the power of education to transform lives and grow economies. We focus on the dual pillars of Financial Literacy and Workforce Development.
At APEF, we recognized a need for comprehensive financial education that addresses the unique challenges faced by today’s students. Understanding financial concepts is not just an academic requirement; it is a critical life skill that shapes young people's futures. Our curriculum was developed to fill this gap, providing a structured yet flexible approach to financial literacy education.
The standards are rooted in best practices and tailored across grade levels to ensure that students can build upon their knowledge sequentially. By fostering a solid foundation in financial literacy, we aim to empower students to become informed, responsible, and proactive decision-makers in their financial lives. We are committed to making financial literacy accessible to all learners, ensuring they are prepared for the financial challenges of tomorrow.
Curriculum Development
The development of our Financial Literacy Curriculum was a collaborative journey driven by our commitment to equipping students with essential financial skills for the future. We began with a clear goal: to identify the foundational knowledge and competencies that students need to possess by the time they graduate high school. Working backwards from this vision allowed us to ensure that each lesson and concept introduced throughout the K-12 experience builds toward this ultimate objective.
National Advisory Committee
To bring our vision to life, we assembled a diverse national advisory committee comprised of experienced educators, curriculum writers, policy experts, and finance industry leaders. Their collective insights were instrumental in shaping a curriculum that is both comprehensive and relevant to the diverse realities faced by students today.
Creation of our Framework
Our advisory committee established key financial concepts and pedagogical approaches. We outlined a curriculum framework that integrates foundational financial literacy standards, ensuring that students build a robust knowledge base as they progress through elementary, middle, and high school. By beginning with the end in mind, we created a curriculum designed to cultivate financial competencies systematically over time.
Context is
Key
We developed a flexible structure that allows educators to easily implement financial literacy lessons into their existing courses, making it more accessible for both teachers and students. Each lesson is thoughtfully crafted to align with national standards, integrating real-life applications that empower students to make informed financial decisions.
Supplementary Resources
Input from the advisory committee regarding the inclusion of multimedia resources, such as age specific articles and engaging animated videos, further enhanced our curriculum. These tools complement the lessons by providing visual storytelling that supports comprehension and retention, catering to diverse learning styles.
Empowering Financial Literacy
Our mission is to empower students with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions that will positively impact their future. We are dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment where financial literacy is accessible and engaging for all.