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Teaching Fiscal Literacy in SchoolSubmitted: 03/01/2019
Dan Hagen
Dan Hagen
Reporter/Anchor
dhagen@wjfw.com

 Teaching Fiscal Literacy in School
NORTHWOODS - Most Wisconsinites wished they saved more. Part of the problem is a lack of education about personal finance. But some local high schools are hoping to change that for the next generation. 

Jake Richards teaches personal finance at Lakeland Union High School. He believes better technology has improved the curriculum, specifically the website "Next Gen Personal Finance". He loves it for its help inside and outside the classroom. Richards is hopeful new resources like Next Gen will help not just finance students, but also finance teachers.

"I think that as all the financial literacy teachers are able to build on each other [with Next Gen, financial literacy] will come to let's say a science or a math teacher," said Richards.

State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski said a reason for state financial literacy shortcomings is a lack of quality education in the past.


"One of the critical barriers for financial literacy in whether that elementary, middle, or high school is that teachers don't even feel comfortable teaching some of this stuff," said Godlewski.

Godlewski said a course for teaching teachers about personal finance could help. Northland Pines Principal Dan Marien would support Godlewski's course for teachers.

"If we do that through educating our staff members through professional development on financial literacy, I do believe that's going to have a positive impact on our students which is the ultimate reason why we're here," said Marien.

Lakeland teaches an eight-week course. At Northland Pines, the course is 18 weeks. Seven out of every ten school districts in Wisconsin require a personal finance class. That's up from 44 percent in 2013.


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What We're Working OnSubmitted: 08/19/2019

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St. Germain man arrested for 4th OWI offense with child in vehicleSubmitted: 08/18/2019

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Terry Thomas Gumhold was stopped on County Hwy W in Portage County driving 94 mph is a 70 mph speed zone.

Open alcohol containers were found in the vehicle and Gumhold was asked to perform a field sobriety test.

Gumhold's alcohol level was above .02 which is his legal limit.

Gumhold was served with his fourth OWI offense.

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American Legion in Lake Tomahawk hopes to grow following passage of membership expansion actSubmitted: 08/18/2019

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LAKE TOMAHAWK - With nearly 140 dues-paying Legionnaires, American Legion Post 318 in Lake Tomahawk already surpassed its membership goals for 2020.

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Athletes compete at the 2019 Footstock Barefoot National ChampionshipsSubmitted: 08/18/2019

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CRANDON - Hundreds of people braved the weather to watch the 2019 Footstock Barefoot National Championships in Crandon Sunday.

"The wind and the rain just add confusion, but it makes it interesting," said competitor Andre Devilliers. 

The event attracts athletes from around the world. 

Devilliers was born in South-Africa, where he got into the sport at age 9.

"The fun thing about this sport [is] anybody can do it," said Devilliers.

12-year-old Sophie Miljevich started barefooting only a month ago. 

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Miljevich, a Rhinelander native, beat a two-time women's national champion to take the title.

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Over 140 skiers came out to participate.

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Monroe News reports street flooding has been limited thanks to still backwaters. But Lewis says wave action could've led to significant damage to homes and structures along the shoreline.

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12-year-old Milwaukee girl shot when bullets strike homeSubmitted: 08/18/2019

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Former homicide convict seeks $5.7 million in compensationSubmitted: 08/18/2019

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The state Claims Board is set to consider Derrick Sanders' demand for $5.7 million Thursday.

Sanders and two other men were convicted of homicide charges in 1993 in the shooting death of Jason Bowie in Milwaukee. Sanders pleaded no-contest to being party to first-degree intentional homicide.

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Sanders is now 48. State law limits compensation for wrongful convictions to $25,000, but Sanders is arguing for more.

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