On January 22, 2025, Delaware educators gathered at the FinTech Innovation Hub in Newark for the Financial Fitness for Life (FFFL) workshop. Hosted by the University of Delaware’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship (CEEE), the session aimed to equip K-12 teachers with tools to help students navigate financial decisions.
Led by CEEE experts Scott Bacon and Gail Colbert, the workshop covered crucial topics such as saving, investing, earning, and borrowing, aligning with Delaware’s Financial Literacy Standards. With House Bill 203 proposing financial literacy as a graduation requirement in Delaware, the training provided timely support for educators preparing for potential curriculum changes.
CEEE offers annual opportunities for teachers to refine their financial literacy instruction. This year, Bacon and Colbert led a 2.5-hour session centered on the FFFL 3rd Edition curriculum.
“FFFL has provided high-quality financial literacy materials for nearly 25 years. While the goal remains the same—helping students make informed financial choices—methods have evolved to reflect new financial realities,” said Colbert, CEEE’s personal finance coordinator. The updated FFFL edition incorporates modern financial technology and aligns with the National Standards for Financial Literacy.
Open to all secondary teachers, the workshop attracted high school, middle school, and even one elementary educator. Scheduled in January, it provided resources teachers could immediately integrate into their classrooms, offering practical and real-time applications for the Spring semester. “FFFL lessons meet Delaware Financial Literacy Standards, and we wanted to provide this training to new teachers,” Colbert explained.
During the workshop, Colbert and Bacon modeled three lessons:
- How to Become a Millionaire – Highlights education, wise spending, early saving, and smart financial risks.
- Credit Reports and Credit Scores – Helps students read credit reports, understand scores, and evaluate loan applications.
- Don’t Be Scammed – Covers common scams, identity theft, and fraud prevention strategies.
Attendees received resources including the FFFL Teacher’s Guide (3rd Edition), a summary aligning FFFL lessons with Delaware standards, and access to 22 lesson PDFs. Teachers also enjoyed a complimentary dinner, gift cards, and two personal finance books: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel and The Index Card by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack. Additional perks included door prizes and access to the Delaware K-12 Personal Financial Literacy Group on Schoology for additional curriculum support.
Beyond the materials, the workshop’s true value lies in its impact on educators and how they deliver it to their students. One educator who participated expressed a strong desire for the program to expand its reach, “I would love to see this be mandated for every student and teacher.”
These lessons can be incorporated into personal finance electives, social studies, math, or business courses. As of 2024, UD now accepts high school personal finance courses as academic electives, granting up to one credit depending on high school policies.
Scott Bacon, CEEE’s assistant director, emphasized the importance of financial literacy: “Students take biology, but not all become biologists. They take calculus, but not all become mathematicians. They take foreign languages, but many never use them. However, all students will manage finances, apply for credit, and face financial risks. A strong personal finance curriculum like FFFL equips them with the tools to secure their future.”
The FFFL workshop highlights CEEE’s commitment to preparing students for financial independence. As discussions on financial literacy legislation continue, educators play a critical role in ensuring students graduate with essential financial skills. CEEE remains dedicated to providing professional development opportunities, helping teachers empower students with lifelong financial knowledge.