Investing in Students With Extensive Support Needs: Steps to Integrate Personal Financial Literacy in Inclusive Settings for Educators, Students, and Families

Abstract

Financial education is vital to improving financial literacy for students with extensive support needs (ESN) to be successful in real-world scenarios and improve financial behaviors. Financial literacy skills should be taught and explored within the mathematics curriculum (Newman et al., 2009) in inclusive settings by both general and special educators with sensitivity to the needs of the students and families. This article introduces a series of steps that allow educators to integrate financial literacy skills in both inclusive school and community-based settings to support students and their families in the process. These steps include (a) assessing financial literacy skills, (b) gathering financial literacy resources, (c) integrating financial literacy activities in inclusive settings, and (d) monitoring and reflecting on financial literacy progress, of all stakeholders including educators, students, and their families. The article also includes financial literacy resources, a sample lesson plan, recommended financial literacy and transition-based learning goals, and guiding questions for families to support financial literacy for students with ESN.