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Schenectady High School
January 14 2010
Schenectady High
School Business Teacher, students
receive Financial Literacy awards
100% of Diane
Allegro's students achieved financial literacy this year.
Schenectady High School Business Teacher Diane
Allegro (pictured) received the Gold Star Teaching
Award Thursday. Allegro also earned
National Board Certification
earlier this year. |
Schenectady
High School Business Teacher Diane Allegro, her students and a
former student were recognized Thursday morning by Working in
Support of Education (WISE). Allegro was presented with the
Gold Star Teaching Award for success teaching the Financial
Literacy Certification Program. At least 90% of her students
passed the financial literacy certification test, a national
measure of personal finance knowledge after taking the program.
Jennifer Balram, a graduate of Schenectady High School was
awarded the WISE Scholar award for achieving one of the highest
scores ever. 
WISE is an
educational non-profit group dedicated to providing educational
support services nationwide, building financial literacy,
fostering business and social entrepreneurship, and preparing
students for college and the global workplace.
The Financial
Literacy Certification Program is a course that focuses on
personal finance and financial planning including lessons on
budgeting, money, credit, banking, insurance, investing,
housing, financial and retirement planning. Students who
complete the course
 and
pass the national test become certified Financially Literate,
indicting that they have met current national standards for
knowledge of personal finance.
Rachel Pierre, a
representative from WISE spoke about the program and recognized
the Allstate Foundation. “The program wouldn’t be here if it
wasn’t for the good people at the Allstate Foundation,” said
Pierre. “Our goal is to prepare young people for college and
the workplace,” she told the students.” “We are here to
recognize you as students. We want to salute you.”
 Gary
Comley, associate superintendent, Paul Scampini, house principal
of the School of Global Commerce, many business teachers and
students were also on hand for the ceremony.
Comley and
Scampini both thanked and congratulated Allegro and the
students. Both spoke briefly and emphasized the importance of
the program. “Many of you will get certification for the
passing the test,” said Scampini. “But, you will be tested more
down the road when it’s time to put what you know to work.”
Comley also noted that Senator Farley issued a
proclamation to recognize Schenectady High School as part of the
program. 
Allegro, who has a
background in financial services, said Money and Finance
is her favorite class to teach. “I get to utilize the
experience and knowledge I gained in my prior career in
financial services and put it to use in a community where many
families struggle financially,” she said and noted that about
17% of Schenectady families and 21% of the population are below
the poverty line. “Financialy literacy is strongly related to
socio- demographic characteristics and financial
sophistication,” she said. “Most people knowledgeable about
financial matters learned the foundations of money management
early in life."
 Allegro
continued to stress the importance of financial literacy
especially in light of the high levels of consumer debt and
limited resources when it comes to funding retirement. She also
quoted former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Treasury
Secretary Tim Geithner and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
“I thank the
Schenectady City School District for enabling me to teach this
valuable course and commend the students who chose to take this
elective to improve their own knowledge and opportunities for a
successful financial future,” said Allegro.
Before presenting
the Financial Literacy certificates, Allegro told the group that
she was a little harder on this class than previous classes.
“But,” she added, “this is the first time 100% of the students
achieved financial literacy.”
She encouraged the
students in the audience to take the class next year.
“Congratulations to all of you who received awards today,” she
said.
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