Tackling Poverty Through Financial Literacy… And Reading, Too!

Outside of mortgage debt, student loan debt is the most common form of debt in the United States today. Just over half of American adults are considered to be financially literate, while similarly low reading achievement levels are occurring in our elementary schools. Research data has shown that there is a correlation between reading proficiency and academic success. Literature suggests that cross-campus collaboration is the key to designing a successful financial literacy program, as well as establishing equity. This article discusses the links between and the need for solid financial education programming in the elementary setting. Further, the authors suggest that the leveraging of financial literacy tools can provide both an economic and educational foundation that can indeed begin to establish the underpinnings for equity in post-elementary education.