Leads Roundtable Discussion with Students and Teachers as Part of Statewide Economic Empowerment Tour

HAVERHILL, MA — Treasurer Deb Goldberg today continued her statewide economic empowerment tour, joining with students and teachers at Haverhill High School to lead a roundtable discussion about the school’s integration of financial education into the curriculum.

"Our goal is for every student in Massachusetts to graduate high school with greater understanding of how the financial decisions they make today impact their lives in the future," said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. "Schools in the pilot program like Haverhill High School are guiding us on best practices as we continue to expand this conversation across the state."

In 2013 the Treasurer’s office, in partnership with the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, awarded state-funded grants to 11 high schools located in 10 Gateway City school districts to develop and pilot financial literacy programs. The initiative, which was established by the legislature in 2012, is a three-year pilot program to help school districts equip high school students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make sound personal finance decisions. Haverhill High School, alongside its community partner, Haverhill Bank, is in its second year of the implementation of a $20,000 grant.

"This pilot project is a valuable opportunity for Haverhill High School students to learn how important it is to understand every day finances and how it will impact their lives on a daily basis. I hope this program can expand throughout schools across the Commonwealth, said State Senator Kathleen O'Connor Ives."

“I commend Treasurer Goldberg’s commitment to Financial Literacy Programming in the commonwealth, it is important that we give our students the tools and the skills to make informed financial decisions,” said State Representative Brian S. Dempsey. “I am happy to see the Treasurer joining Haverhill High school students and faculty to discuss these important issues.”

"I am truly delighted about Treasurer Goldberg's visit to Haverhill and share her commitment to financial literacy education,” said State Representative Diana Dizolgio. “This year, I have sponsored legislation to increase financial literacy programs in schools to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to become self-supporting. I will be fighting for this bill in the legislative session and look immensely forward to working with the Treasurer over the weeks and months come to advocate for financial literacy education in the Commonwealth."

On day one, Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), led by a deputy treasurer with the deliberate goal of incorporating a range of economic empowerment initiatives, including financial literacy, college affordability and programming to support wage equality.

For more information on the Office of Economic Empowerment visit www.mass.gov/treasury or by following the hashtag #EqualPayMA.

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