Studies show that youth are not getting the financial education they need in order to be successful in their adult lives. The results of the 2008 Jump Start Coalition Survey, that was done among 12th grade students, showed only an average score of 48.3% on financial literacy testing and only fifty-nine percent of the young adults in Generation Y (ages eighteen to twenty-one) pay their bills on time every month. (2008 Financial Literacy Survey National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Inc. and MSN Money).

Due to the results from these studies, along with feedback from local business leaders and county extension council members, the Laurel County 4-H agent presented the 4-H Dollars and Sense program to North side elementary school age students in the county. During the 2016-2017 school year, the 4-H Dollars and Sense program was conducted in 11 local elementary schools where youth grades 3-5 participated in the financial education program. With the help of family resource directors, school counselors and 57 local volunteers, the program was delivered to a total of 1012 students in 40 classrooms.

During the forty-five minute program, students received a $200 allowance for a given month and were asked to stay within a $200 monthly budget as they purchased items from 10 different booths that represented stores. Some of the booths consisted of food, including a farmer's market with healthier food choices, clothing, transportation, taxes, etc. The program has become an excellent tool for teaching youth how to manage money, count money, make change, budget,and save for the future.

The results of the pre-test and post-test surveys given to each student upon completion of the program were as follows:

3rd-5th grade students surveyed:

Figures below represent the percentage of students who improved their levels of understanding in the following areas:

78% successfully budgeted their money

68% made wise financial choices

55% understand the difference between wants and needs

71% understood the importance of saving for future goals

61% saw the importance of saving money.

(77%) of students indicated that they went from a "poor" understanding, before the program, of the subjects of making wise financial choices, saving for the future and budgeting money, to an excellent understanding of these topics after the program.

(97%) of students indicated that they made a healthy food choice from the farmer's market food booth indicating that they recognize a healthy food choice and can compare and make good food choices when confronted with choices.

Intermediate Results:

The following results were found when 335 students out of the 676  who participated in the program 2 or more years, were surveyed:

AFTER completing the program, 88% of students said they felt like they could manage money better. Therefore, their money management skills improved.

AFTER completing the program, there was a 73% increase in the number of students who said they would consider the cost of an item before purchasing it from now on. Therefore, they are becoming more cost conscious as well as better financial stewards of their money.