About Family Economics & Financial Education

About FEFE

Family Economics & Financial Education’s (FEFE) mission is to provide educators with no-cost curriculum materials, and the skills and confidence to effectively teach family economics and finance. This is accomplished through an annual grant from Take Charge America, Inc., a non-profit debt counseling and management service located in Phoenix, AZ. The project began in 2001, using teacher input to design a quality, ready-to-teach family economics and finance curriculum and training program.  Since the project’s inception, it has operated under five principles that make it unique and effective:

• Curriculum Development: The curriculum was developed by educators for educators. Thirty-two Montana teachers in the fields of family and consumer sciences and business participated in FEFE’s Fellowship Program. All curriculum materials have been developed, taught, and edited in conjunction with this program. The Fellowship Program evolved into the Master Teacher Program which is a group of educators who have completed our week-long training, use the curriculum in their classrooms and provide support to FEFE through evaluation and development of new materials, mentor newly trained financial educators, and conduct training sessions at national and state conferences.
• Curriculum Design: Curriculum materials are designed in a ready-to-teach format which utilizes the multiple intelligences and active learning theories. Lessons are aligned to most state and national standards, include well-researched background information, suggests implementation methods, activities, handouts, and assessment tools. All lesson plans are designed independent of one another. Therefore, an educator may teach a complete semester course, a unit, or a single lesson plan. In addition, “Life In…” a family finance spending plan simulation, may be used as an independent lesson or integrated into the semester course.
• Training:  A key component of professional development is Family Economics & Financial Education’s training model. The project conducts several regional workshops and a week-long national training seminar in Tucson, AZ annually. The training equips educators with the materials, skills and knowledge required to teach the semester curriculum, “Take Charge of Your Finances.” Educators also have the opportunity to experience the curriculum, gain knowledge about family finance topics, and network with other professionals. 
• Support Staff:  A full-time staff is available to answer questions, continually update the curriculum materials, and maintain our Web site.
• Resources and Partnerships:  The project works diligently to provide the most up to date curriculum to educators throughout the United States. To date the project has partnered with Take Charge America, Inc., Montana State University, University of Arizona, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and the National Council on Economic Education.