Financial literacy in school: Skills for the 21st century

What should the average adult know in order to achieve financial literacy? And what role should schools play in helping students get there?On this episode of School’s In, we welcome Professor Annamaria Lusardi to discuss the financial skills young people need to make wise decisions and fully participate in society. We also unpack a new bill passed in California to require financial literacy education for high school graduation. Lusardi covers several topics, including:(02:25) What is financial literacy for students?(07:36) The complexities of financial decision making(12:50) The new financial literacy graduation requirement in California(15:38) Equity issues in financial learning(18:06) The effects of financial literacy on well-being and wealthAnnamaria Lusardi is a professor of finance at Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), where she studies the effectiveness of financial education programs on individuals’ financial decisions. Her research focuses on financial literacy and personal finance, and she has designed measurements of financial literacy that have been used around the world.She is also the faculty director of the Initiative for Financial Decision-Making, a collaboration between the GSB, the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, and Stanford's economics department. To learn more about her work, visit her profile.School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and fresh perspectives on the future of learning. Hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope, each episode dives into the latest research, innovations, and real-world challenges shaping education today.Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all.Stay connected with the latest insights — subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.