By Angel Brown
Financial literacy is a fundamental life skill, yet many students graduate without a basic understanding of money management. A recent survey by Junior Achievement (JA) and research firm Big Village highlights this growing concern: 68% of teens say they would take a financial literacy course if offered, yet only 31% have access to such classes in school.
As one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to preparing young people for financial and career success, Junior Achievement serves 4.4 million K-12 students annually across all 50 states. The organization equips students with practical skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship through interactive programs and real-world simulations.
With personal finance now a required course in North Carolina, JA is actively working to expand its reach and impact. To understand how the organization is addressing the financial literacy gap locally, we spoke with Cord Bailey, associate director of communications for Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas.
Expanding access
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), one of the largest school districts in the country, is a key player in the shift toward mandatory personal finance education. Junior Achievement is partnering with CMS to ensure students have access to effective financial literacy programs.
One of its main initiatives is JA Inspire, a virtual platform designed to teach students financial literacy, career awareness and job readiness. CMS schools have been piloting the program to provide students with real-world financial education and career preparation.
For hands-on experience, JA Finance Park offers a real-world financial literacy simulation at its 20,000-square-foot facility in Camp North End. Students begin by completing 10 to 12 classroom lessons before participating in a financial decision-making simulation.
“Students take on real-life financial roles, such as a single or married adult with a specific job and salary,” said Cord Bailey, associate director of communications for Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas. “They must budget for expenses like transportation, groceries and childcare while making critical financial decisions.”
The immersive experience helps students connect classroom learning with real-world financial responsibilities and career planning. By seeing the direct impact of financial decisions, students gain a deeper understanding of economic realities.
Empowering educators and overcoming challenges
To expand financial literacy education, JA works directly with educators to ensure they have the tools and support needed to integrate financial literacy into their classrooms.
“We hosted 30 high school teachers to introduce them to JA Inspire,” Bailey said. “They then shared it with colleagues and provided materials to help implement it in classrooms.”
JA also collaborates with CMS leadership and attends monthly meetings to assist with the rollout of personal finance education.
However, expansion hasn’t been without challenges. Initially, JA met with individual schools to assess their needs, but this process proved time-consuming. Now, the organization takes a top-down approach, working directly with school districts to identify needs and implement programs efficiently.
This approach has already yielded district-wide success. In Cabarrus County, JA initially provided its financial literacy curriculum to all fourth-grade students. This year, the program has expanded to include the entire eighth-grade student body across the district.
The role of community support
Expanding financial literacy education requires more than just school partnerships, it relies on community involvement. Volunteers, corporate sponsors, and donors play a crucial role in ensuring students have access to JA programs.
“We are always looking for volunteers,” said Bailey. “Anyone interested can visit our website to explore ways to get involved.”
Since JA programs are heavily subsidized, financial support is also critical. For example, JA BizTown costs $120 per student, but thanks to corporate and community sponsorships, schools only pay $10-$15 per student.
“Even a $10 monthly donation can help support a student’s financial education for an entire year,” he said.
Adapting to policy changes
With shifting education policies and increasing state control over curriculum decisions, Junior Achievement stays proactive and adaptable.
At the national level, Junior Achievement USA closely monitors legislation and executive orders that impact financial education requirements. Locally, JA remains engaged with school districts, corporate partners, and community organizations to assess funding changes and adapt accordingly.
“Since we don’t heavily rely on school funding, we’re in a strong position,” Bailey said. “However, staying connected with our partners ensures we’re prepared for any policy shifts that could impact education funding.”
Measuring impact
To gauge the effectiveness of its programs, JA conducts post-program evaluations to collect feedback from students and teachers.
“Students complete post-assignments to reflect on financial literacy concepts,” said Bailey. “We assess where they started versus what they learned through our programs.”
Junior Achievement is also exploring ways to track long-term impact, ensuring students continue to benefit from financial literacy education beyond the classroom.
Junior Achievement is leading the charge in providing financial education, but the gap between demand and access remains. Through state partnerships, innovative programs like JA Inspire, and hands-on experiences like JA Finance Park, JA is working to bridge that gap. However, expansion requires community involvement. Volunteers, corporate sponsors and donors can play a key role in increasing financial literacy access for students.