RALEIGH, N.C. – A Coalition of individuals, non-profits, government agencies, private corporations, and educators will convene next week at the General Assembly to rally support and awareness for financial literacy in North Carolina.

On March 31, 2009, the NC Jump$tart Coalition will host a day at the legislature, bringing together coalition members, educators, students, legislators and media to create a spotlight for the importance of personal financial literacy across the state.

State Treasurer Janet Cowell, Rep. Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg), Sen. Josh Stein (D-Wake) and members of financial institutions, credit unions and the community will speak to the value of financial education especially in light of the current economic crisis. Governor Beverly Perdue has  proclaimed April 2009 Financial Literacy For Youth Month encouraging all North Carolina parents, teachers, business and community leaders to assist in empowering our youth by teaching them the skills to manage their personal financial life.

The necessity for financial education is highlighted by a 2008 survey conducted by the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Education.  The survey found that financial literacy scores of the 2008 high school senior class rank lower than their 2006 peers measured in the same national survey. The 2008 senior class correctly answered only 48.3 percent of the questions. This mean score is a decrease from those posted by the senior class of 2006, which correctly answered 52.4 percent of the questions.  North Carolina seniors who participated in the survey performed at a lower level than the national average, having an overall score of 45.6 percent.  It is clear that both nationally and in North Carolina that every effort must be taken to assure our youth obtain the financial education needed to become financially successful adults.

The event will be in the auditorium of the State Legislative Building at 10 a.m. on March 31. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the efforts across the state to provide students with this education. This event, hosted by the NC Jump$tart Coalition, will kickoff other statewide events aimed at providing North Carolina’s youth with the education necessary for life skills.

About North Carolina Jump$tart Coalition

The North Carolina Jump$tart Coalition is comprised of over 36 organizations, government agencies, financial institutions, and corporations working together to improve personal financial literacy in North Carolina’s youth.  The NC Jump$tart is a proud affiliate of the Washington, D.C. based National Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy (NJ$C), which first convened in 1995.  For more information visit the NC Jump$tart website at www.ncjumpstart.org and the NJ$C website at www.jumpstart.org.