The Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education has approved a new graduation requirement for George W. Hewlett High School students.
Beginning with the Class of 2017, the freshmen of 2013, all Hewlett High School students will be required to meet a financial literacy standard. The Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the new requirement at the Jan. 16 Board Meeting.
“Financial literacy and responsibility has been raised by district administration, parents, and community members as one of the desired competencies for all graduates,” said Joyce M. Bisso, Ed.D., superintendent of Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools. “A 21st Century competency, financial literacy has been discussed at length at our World Café Community Conversations, and is one of the Student Outcomes developed by our Educating the Future for the Future Steering Committee.”
Financial education will help students become informed and responsible citizens who can make intelligent financial plans and decisions and avoid the common financial pitfalls, such as credit card debt and excessive spending.
Hewlett High School began offering students the opportunity to become certified financially literate in 2004 through the W!SE (Working in Support of Education) program. Each year, the number of students passing the financial literacy exam has increased.
Students will have multiple pathways to choose from to meet the financial literacy requirement. Courses are offered in Career and Financial Management, Money and Investment, Financial Math, Virtual Enterprise, Occupational Math, and Topics in Pre-Calculus and Problem Solving. There will also be a self-directed, online option currently under development in collaboration with Nassau BOCES. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in financial literacy prior to graduation.
“The new financial literacy requirement is a great way for us to help our students understand the issues and strategies involved in managing their personal finances and maintaining fiscal health,” said Stephanie Gould, president of the board of education. “It is one of the many ways we seek to ensure that all of our graduates have the skills and competencies they need to become responsible, productive citizens.”
