Maryland Council on Economic Education

08/31/2026

New data check
Gen Z just scored the lowest of any generation on a national financial literacy survey — just 38% correct, below the already-low 47% national average.
The good news buried in there: people who received financial education scored 13 points higher than those who didn't. The gap is closable — if students get this instruction now, not after they've already graduated.

Read the full article here: https://www.tiaa.org/public/institute/about/news/tiaa-institute-gflec-report-finds

08/27/2026

Want to make a real difference in Maryland classrooms? 🙌
MCEE volunteers help bring financial education to life for students across the state — judging competitions, supporting events, mentoring teams, and more.

Whether you can help once or get involved regularly, there's a role for you.

Volunteer with us today: https://www.econed.org/volunteer/

08/25/2026

The lie was #3: "Checking your own credit score can lower it."

Nope! Checking your own score is called a "soft inquiry" — it has zero effect on your credit. It's only hard inquiries (like when a lender checks it for a loan or credit card application) that can cause a small, temporary dip.

And in case you were wondering about the other two — both true! A credit score really can affect whether you get approved for an apartment, and yes, you typically need some form of credit activity (a starter card, becoming an authorized user, etc.) to start building one in the first place.

Did you get it right? Comment below

08/24/2026

Teachers — this is your sign. 🚨

MCEE's professional development is:
100% free
In-person, live virtual, OR self-paced — your call
Taught by real Maryland classroom teachers and finance pros
Counts toward your licensure points

Zero reasons not to check it out: https://www.econed.org/professional-development/

08/21/2026

Teachers — be honest with us. What's the #1 reason personal finance gets pushed to the back burner in your classroom? 👇

No dedicated class time
Not on the required test
Teachers feel undertrained
Lack of engaging materials

Comment or vote — we want to hear it!

08/20/2026

Turns out personal finance education is something almost EVERYONE agrees on.

A national poll found 83% of U.S. adults think their state should require a personal finance class to graduate — and that support barely changes no matter who you ask politically.

The public wants this. Now it's about making sure every Maryland student actually gets it, from a teacher who's ready to teach it well.

Read more: https://www.nefe.org/news/2025/04/poll-majority-of-us-adults-want-financial-education-in-high-schools.aspx

08/19/2026

2 Truths and a Lie — back-to-school money edition
Which one is the LIE?
1️⃣ A credit score can affect your ability to rent an apartment
2️⃣ You need a job to start building credit
3️⃣ Checking your own credit score can lower it
Comment 1, 2, or 3 — we'll reveal the answer in a follow-up post!

08/14/2026

Happy National Financial Awareness Day!

Today's a great excuse to check in on your own money habits — review a budget, check a credit score, or just set one small goal.
It's also a great reminder of why MCEE exists: to make sure Maryland students grow up with these skills already in hand, not scrambling to learn them as adults. Last year, we helped bring personal finance lessons to over 25,000 students across the state.

08/13/2026

25,000+ Maryland students. That's how many took part in an MCEE program last year — our biggest year yet.

None of it happens without our incredible teachers — more than 2,250 of them brought these lessons to life in their classrooms.
Thank you to every educator who made this possible. Here's to an even bigger year ahead!
https://www.econed.org/

08/11/2026