Wisconsin educators are encouraged to utilize the following resources to teach financial literacy to students, community members, and others across the state.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) sets forth the Personal Financial Literacy Standards across all grade levels and disciplines in Wisconsin. A comprehensive, developmentally appropriate pre-kindergarten through grade 12 program can promote personal financial literacy throughout numerous curricular areas. Educators from all grade levels can use the financial literacy standards to align instruction and create curriculum and activities designed to instill within students a desire to be financially literate. The standards are intended to help schools develop programs that provide the knowledge and skills to establish sound financial habits. Learn more on the DPI website. 

Forward Learning Institute for Financial & Economic Literacy (FLIFEL)

The Forward Learning Institute of Financial and Economic Literacy, FLIFEL (formerly NIFEL), is a collaborative professional development program designed to meet current needs and support educators in fulfilling the financial literacy education requirement. This is an initiative done in collaboration with Edgewood College, the Wisconsin Departments of Financial Institutions and Public Instruction, Next Gen Personal Finance, and the CBM Credit Education Foundation.

We are excited to announce new online professional development opportunities. They are designed to be completed at your own pace and can be accessed through the Wisconsin Jump$tart Website. These sessions are FREE. There is no need to register, simply visit Wisconsin Jump$tart Coalition. Sessions include:

• Secure Future's Money Path Resource Seminar: This web-based financial education application allows students to explore how their decisions about college, career, budgeting, and saving will impact their long-term goals and lifelong financial success. Learn how you can utilize this tool for online learning and into the future! SecureFutures Financial Education Online Training

• Recent Economic Events: This video series created by Professor Bill Duddleston reviews economic events starting in the 1990’s and explores short-term and long-term interest rates. This series gives interesting insight into what could come in today’s economic situation. A Brief Course in Recent Economic Events
  

Money Smart Wisconsin

Money Smart Wisconsin launched in 2006 as an initiative of the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability. To encourage financial literacy organizations across state to get involved in this important effort, the First Lady of Wisconsinhosted a “membership drive” at the Governor’s Residence in August of 2006.

Each year (except for during the COVID-19 pandemic), more than 600 partner organization representing community groups, financial institutions, and government agencies educate over 12,000 individuals at more than 500 events across Wisconsin.

Administrative oversight of Money Smart Wisconsin is conducted by the Office of Financial Literacy (OFL) within the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Office of Financial Capability. If you are interested in becoming a Money Smart Wisconsin partner, please reach out to Dave Mancl at Dave.Mancl@dfi.wisconsin.org.

Contact Us

David Mancl
Financial Literacy Director
Office of Financial Capability
Phone: (608) 572-5794
Email: David.Mancl@dfi.wisconsin.gov
Mailing Address:
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Office of Financial Capability
4822 Madison Yards Way, North Tower
Madison, WI 53705
Physical Address:
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Office of Financial Capability
4822 Madison Yards Way, North Tower
Madison, WI 53705