Financial literacy is essential to postsecondary and career success. Yet many high school students, particularly in rural communities, graduate without a foundational understanding of money management. Recognizing this critical gap, the Eastern South Dakota Perkins Consortium set out to bring high-quality financial education directly to students who needed it most.
This vision became reality thanks to the support of the Wells Fargo Financial Literacy Initiative and the strategic collaboration with the Southeast Technical College Foundation, led by Associate Vice President Stephen Williamson. With his guidance and the generous backing of Wells Fargo, the consortium launched a comprehensive financial literacy program — reaching 36 rural school districts. The initiative featured Ryan Decker, Ph.D., the founding director of the Center for Financial Literacy at South Central College and a certified financial planner, who delivered engaging and accessible sessions, both in person and virtually, on budgeting, credit, debt, investing and more.
Together, this partnership empowered 380 students with practical skills and long-term financial insight, demonstrating the impact of targeted, collaborative approaches in career and technical education.
Identifying the need
The journey began with a question. How can we better prepare students for the financial realities of adulthood, especially in rural schools where access to specialized instruction can be limited?
Across South Dakota, educators and administrators recognized a persistent gap in financial literacy among high school students. Many lack basic knowledge about budgeting, credit, debt, and long-term planning, knowledge that would directly affect their success. South Dakota requires that most high schools offer a personal finance course. But the course is not a graduation requirement. We find many students opt not to take the course in order to satisfy other graduation requirements. To address this need, South Dakota followed five steps.
- Establishing the vision: Financial literacy emerged as a top priority through conversations with district leaders and student assessment data. The goal: provide relevant, engaging and actionable financial education aligned with real-world applications.
- Securing a strategic partnership: The Wells Fargo Financial Literacy Initiative became the financial catalyst that made the program possible.
- Recruiting trusted experts: Ryan Decker’s combination of academic credibility and real-world financial planning experience ensured the sessions were both informative and relatable.
- Designing for flexibility and access: Recognizing the logistical challenges of rural schools, the program was designed to be delivered both in person and via Zoom to ensure maximum accessibility without requiring travel or additional staffing.
- Tailoring content to student needs: We chose topics based on student feedback and included budgeting and credit and debt, student loans, investing, and taxes. The focus was always on real-life readiness with a lens toward issues important to South Dakota residents.
Implementation
Seventeen high schools across 36 rural districts participated in this initiative. We reached 380 students through a flexible and practical approach to financial education. Sessions ran from October 2023 through May 2024. Each school selected topics tailored to the needs of their student body, with a primary focus on budgeting, credit and preparation for postsecondary life. The hybrid delivery model ensured that even small or remote schools could benefit from high-quality instruction.
Furthermore, Decker’s engaging style and relatable approach made complex financial concepts accessible to students. His sessions were highly interactive, gamified and grounded in real-life application. Educators and students alike shared positive feedback for increasing both understanding and interest in financial literacy topics.
Best practices & lessons learned
This initiative revealed several powerful takeaways for other CTE leaders looking to replicate the model. First, leading with flexibility proved essential. By allowing schools to choose the topics and delivery formats that best fit their students’ needs, the program built trust and boosted participation. Collaboration with the right partners also made a significant impact. Financial support from Wells Fargo, operational guidance from the Southeast Tech Foundation, and expert, student-centered instruction created a highly effective and sustainable learning experience. The program was further strengthened by its responsiveness to student feedback, ensuring sessions remained relevant and impactful.
Equally important was the emphasis on practical and relevant content. Session topics covered everyday financial decisions students will face after high school. Like budgeting on a starter salary, managing college costs and understanding car loans.
Finally, the initiative was intentionally designed with replication in mind. By identifying a strong instructional partner, accepting hybrid delivery methods, flexible funding and focusing on topics that connect with students’ real-life experiences.
Looking ahead
Encouraged by the program’s success, the consortium is already planning for the future. Several districts are exploring ways to integrate financial literacy into their annual curriculum, including the possibility of a math credit. Additional content areas in development include workplace literacy and entrepreneurship. The foundation of these activities is rooted in honoring the Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program’s partnerships. They play a critical role in supporting access and delivery.
The long-term vision is bold and transformative: to embed financial literacy as a fundamental life skill that equipped all students to make confident, informed financial decisions well beyond graduation.
A call to action for CTE leaders
Empower students with the knowledge and tools to make sound financial decisions. This does more than advance their education. It can shape their futures. The Wells Fargo Financial Literacy Initiative, driven by the Eastern South Dakota Perkins Consortium, the Southeast Technical College Foundation, and Ryan Decker, demonstrates that when partners align, flexibility and purpose align, education becomes not only transformative but lasting.
If you’re a CTE leader considering how to impact students beyond the classroom, look no further. You can bring financial literacy and real opportunities to every corner of your state.
Sara Vande Kamp, M.B.A., Ed.D, is an educator, member and vice president of the Eastern South Dakota Perkins Consortium. Her involvement in education is further enriched by her roles as a parent and a newly elected (2025) member of the Harrisburg School Board.
