Allstate Foundation Awards Grant To W!se For Economic And Financial Education In New Jersey

Nov. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Contact:  Eric Katzman on (212) 421-2700 or at ekatzman@wise-ny.org
                Danny Jovic on (908) 252-5164 or at danny.jovic@allstate.com

ALLSTATE FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO W!SE FOR ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION IN NEW JERSEY


New York, Nov. 19, 2010 – Working in Support of Education (w!se) announces a $50,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation. The grant will help w!se support the Financial Literacy Pilot Program, an initiative launched in 2009 by The General Assembly and Senate of the State of New Jersey, to promote the financial literacy of high school seniors in several high schools across the state.

The three year Program is being coordinated by the New Jersey State Board of Education. Pilot schools will teach a course on personal finance to their seniors each year and then administer w!se’s national standardized Financial Literacy Certification Test. Students passing the Test will become Certified Financially Literate earning w!se’s widely recognized certification – a CFL.

The Allstate Foundation grant will also enable w!se to support the State Board of Education’s new set of high school graduation standards, requiring students entering high school in the 2010-2011 academic year to take a half year course in economics and financial literacy before they graduate in 2014. w!se will develop a new assessment tool to help high schools measure student knowledge of economics and personal finance after taking the new required course.
   
“The Allstate Foundation is committed to supporting the exciting new developments taking place in high school economic and financial education in New Jersey,” said William P. Ballinger, President of Allstate New Jersey. “We are pleased that this grant will help w!se make a significant contribution to the success of the Financial Literacy Pilot Program and the introduction of the new course.”

Phyllis Frankfort, President, and CEO of w!se commented, “We are truly grateful to the Allstate Foundation for a grant to support these important initiatives in New Jersey. Economic and financial education is essential for young people today, and we are delighted that with the grant, we can assist the pilot schools and New Jersey State Board of Education to provide these necessary 21st Century skills.”

About The Allstate Foundation - Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream.

About w!se - Working In Support of Education - is an educational 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to providing educational support services nationwide, building financial literacy, fostering business and social entrepreneurship, and preparing students for college and the global workplace. Since 2003, 74% of high school students who have participated in our award-winning Financial Literacy Certification Program have passed our Financial Literacy Certification Test, becoming Certified Financially Literate (CFL). For more information about w!se and its programs, visit www.wise-ny.org.

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W!se is an educational 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to providing educational support services nationwide, building financial literacy, fostering business and social entrepreneurship, and preparing students for college and the global workplace.