Pennsylvania Securities Commission Commends Students for Taking Part in Financial Education Challenge

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Students in the Commonwealth rose to the challenge by participating in the National Financial Capability Challenge during the 2009-2010 school year. The Challenge was presented by the U.S. Departments of Education and Treasury and endorsed by the Pennsylvania Securities Commission (PSC).

The number of high school participants in Pennsylvania outnumbered those from all other states. In fact, more students from the Commonwealth scored in the top 20 percent of the competition than from any other state. Pennsylvania students also ranked third in the number of perfect scores achieved.

The PSC helped to promote the event by sending the information to more than 300 teachers across the state.

The Challenge encouraged teachers to engage students in lessons about financial knowledge, including personal finance, investing and securing financial stability in their lives.

"It is wonderful that so many teachers integrated this into their curriculum and students worked diligently to learn the material," said PSC Chairman Bob Lam. "I cannot stress enough how important it is for students to learn about investing and smart financial choices."

"The Securities Commission realizes the importance of financial education early in a child's life," noted Commissioner Tom Michlovic.  "It's why we offer so many educational programs aimed at helping teachers include investor education in school lesson plans."

Commissioner Steven Irwin called financial literacy "the next big thing" in improving the quality of learning in America's schools. "By educating the next generation we are assuring financial and economic stability for the future," Irwin said. "The need has been demonstrated over and over to us with the gyrations of the stock market and the economy in recent years. Today, virtually everyone is an investor in our economy. We need to help them become savvy investors."

Information about the National Financial Capability Challenge can be found online at www.challenge.treas.gov.

Editor's Note: Pennsylvania high schools that placed students in the top 20 percent of results are listed below:

• Abington Senior High School, Abington
• Annville Cleona Secondary School, Annville
• Sun Valley High School, Aston
• Bensalem High School, Bensalem
• Tulpehocken High School, Bernville
• Daniel Boone High School, Birdsboro
• North Penn High School, Blossburg
• Boiling Springs High School, Boiling Springs
• Bolden Christian Academy, Boothwyn
• Immaculata Academy Home School, Camp Hill
• Trinity High School, Camp Hill
• Carbondale Area High School, Carbondale
• Chambersburg Area Sr. High School, Chambersburg
• Faust Junior High, Chambersburg
• Shalom Christian Academy, Chambersburg
• HIS Academy, Chester Springs
• Abington Heights High School, Clarks Summit
• Columbia Junior Senior High School, Columbia
• Dallastown Area High School, Dallastown
• East Stroudsburg High School South, East Stroudsburg
• Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
• General McLane High School, Edinboro
• Elizabethtown Area High School, Elizabethtown
• Ephrata High School, Ephrata
• Phil-Mont Christian Academy, Erdenheim
• McDowell Senior High School, Erie
• Downingtown East High School, Exton
• Ridley High School, Folsom
• Susquehannock High School, Glen Rock
• South Western High School, Hanover
• Seneca Valley Senior High, Harmony
• Haverford High School, Havertown
• Hazleton Area Career Center, Hazleton
• Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, Hollidaysburg
• Kane Area School District, Kane
• Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster
• Panther Valley High School, Lansford
• Leechburg Area High School, Leechburg
• Excelsior Homeschool Academy, Macungie
• Mahanoy Area High School, Mahanoy City
• Manheim Central High School, Manheim
• Montour High School, Mckees Rocks
• Mechanicsburg Area Senior High, Mechanicsburg
• Ringgold High School, Monongahela
• Gateway High School, Monroeville
• Council Rock HS North, Newtown
• Northwestern Lehigh High School, New Tripoli
• Norristown Area High School, Norristown
• Northampton Area High School, Northampton
• Oxford Area High School, Oxford
• George Washington High School, Philadelphia
• Little Flower High School, Philadelphia
• West Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia
• Renaissance Academy Charter School, Phoenixville
• North Hills Senior High School, Pittsburgh
• Plum Senior High School, Pittsburgh
• Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville
• Punxsutawney Area High School, Punxsutawney
• Radnor High School, Radnor
• Conrad Weiser High School, Robesonia
• Shippensburg High School, Shippensburg
• Bastian Home School, State College
• State College Area High School, State College
• Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua
• Tunkhannock Area High School, Tunkhannock
• Council Rock High School North, Warminster
• Warren County AVTS, Warren
• Jersey Shore High School, Williamsport
• Eastern York High School, Wrightsville
• IU12 Freedom Academy, York
• William Penn Senior High School, York
• York Suburban High School, York

Home-schooled students in the following school districts also scored in the top 20 percent:

• Conewago Valley School District
• Carlisle School District
• Slippery Rock School District

SOURCE Pennsylvania Securities Commission