Relatively rural Allegany County may not be one of the wealthiest parts of the state, but has earned the reputation as a leader in teaching public school students to stay out of the poorhouse.
The local board of education earned praise from Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot for making teens pass a personal finance course as a graduation requirement starting with the Class of 2012. Juniors and seniors are now enrolled as an elective. Franchot was in town Monday, where he visited Fort Hill High School.
The young people learn how to balance a checkbook and the pitfalls of heavy credit card use. Instruction runs the gamut from purchasing a vehicle to deciding on a career path.
Other school systems in the state offer so-called financial literacy courses, but only a few have made completion mandatory to receive a diploma.
During Franchot’s stop, Assistant Superintendent of Education Janet Wilson pointed out that 48 percent of Allegany County pupils receive free and reduced meals — a figure indicative of the extent of poverty and economic challenges faced by families here.
The school board is to be commended for its efforts in fostering fiscal responsibility in future members of the work force.
