Starting the Year with a Plan for Success

As we embrace the fresh start of January, the focus for many is on Financial Wellness Month. It is a season for reflection, stewardship, and setting a vision for the year ahead. At Operation Xcel, we believe the best way to maximize financial knowledge is to start early. By teaching our students how to manage money and budget before they graduate from middle school, we provide them with a "Secret Advantage" that transcends their youth and builds a foundation for their entire lives.

Professional Standards for Young Learners

To ensure our students and staff receive the highest quality education, we utilize the Edward Jones Financial Literacy model. By mirroring the strategies used by professional financial advisors, we bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. This professional framework allows our students to see money management not just as a chore, but as a strategic tool for building the life they want.

This approach aligns perfectly with the Jump$tart 2021 National Standards, which reflect learning outcomes for students in grades K-12. These standards emphasize effective personal financial education that includes:

• Earning Income & Responsible Spending: Understanding the value of work and choice.
• Saving & Budgeting: The cornerstones of the Edward Jones philosophy.
• Investing & Managing Credit: Navigating the complexities of modern finance.
• Managing Risk: Preparing for the future with confidence.

A Legacy of Financial Capability

The importance of this work is backed by decades of advocacy. In 2003, the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) launched Financial Capability Month to emphasize that financial well-being is critical to the lives of every American. This was furthered by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, which successfully advocated for extending these capabilities to all youth, eventually leading to the national recognition of Financial Literacy Month each year in April.

At Operation Xcel, we are bringing these national goals to life every single day. We believe financial education is a crucial life skill that must begin in schools, preparing students to navigate a money-centered society before money becomes a significant issue for them.

Taking Action: 3 Steps Ahead

This year, we are proud to continue incorporating a dedicated financial education component into our programming, specifically through our 3 Steps Ahead Summer Enrichment Program. Our training is facilitated by Operation Xcel teachers who are specifically trained in financial literacy and the Edward Jones model.

By providing our students with these professional-grade skills now, we are giving them a significant advantage that benefits their future families and the economy at large. As we wait for systemic changes at the state or national level, we continue to show up and speak up for the children who need this head start the most.