Ross Local School District is Dedicated to the Financial Education of their Students

Ross Local School District has a strategic approach to meeting the new state standards outlined in the Ohio Core, Senate Bill 311 mandate for the financial education of their students. This approach includes partnering with the Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati to implement a plan to best meet the new state requirements. This plan included assistance from the Economics Center to develop financial literacy curriculum best suited to address the goals of the district and the needs of a diverse student population. Lisa Coons, Director of Curriculum and Personnel, stated that the district’s Board of Education fully supports this effort. Four teachers, Sharon Berlage, Becky Taylor, Becky Berling and Tracy Turney-Smith, were selected to enroll in the Economics Center’s Ohio Core Integration Specialist Certificate Program to learn effective methods for incorporating the required content into the classroom. Coons said, “Our first priority is the education of our students, and in today’s economic times these concepts are more important than ever”.

The Economics Center’s Certificate Program provides educators knowledge, techniques and resources to effectively teach personal finance. The program consists of a series of rigorous professional development courses that are conveniently offered online or during evening and weekend hours. The program is designed to be flexible and offer hands-on lessons and resources for instruction. Ross High School Economics teacher, Sharon Berlage explained that enrolling in this program as a group has been extremely valuable. “Collaborating with other teachers from my district allows us work together and learn how to revamp our entire program, fundamentally changing the way we teach rather than trying to shove standards into existing curriculum. We are all aligned to the same conceptual approach which creates a better experience for the students across all classes.” Business teacher Becky Taylor elaborated to say that by working with the Economics Center the students that take these classes are able to earn college credit through the University of Cincinnati.

Economics Center’s Financial Education Director, Tom MacDonald explains “We are not just trying to educate teachers on how to introduce these important concepts to students; we are trying to change behaviors. The more knowledge students have the better decisions they will make, which will ultimately allow them to effectively manage their personal finances even during challenging economic times.

To learn more about the great work Ross School District has in progress, please contact Director of Curriculum and Personnel, Lisa Coons at (513) 863-1253 ext. 2902 or by email at lisa.coons@rossrams.com. If you are interested in learning more about the Economics Center’s Certificate Program, please contact Financial Education Director, Tom MacDonald at 513.556.5198 or email thomas.macdonald@uc.edu.