Financial knowledge is crucial, and this must be emphasized more. Because it helps people become self-sufficient and financially stable, financial literacy is vital. This includes the capacity to budget, pay bills, save money, distinguish between wants and necessities, buy a home, pay for college, and make retirement plans. They can create a practical roadmap with literacy to help them navigate daily life and make wise financial decisions.
The significance of financial literacy for students means that having a fundamental knowledge of finances is crucial. Any educational strategy requires continually expanding upon what you’ve already learned. The same is true of your financial situation. You need to know how money works before you spend any. This calls for patience and meticulous execution. Too many of us have learned the value of money too late in life or what it means to be in debt.
Several people, such as Kevin Gordon, prioritize financial literacy and aim to achieve it. Gordon began a lifelong commitment to public school policy and financial concerns when he was named the Assistant Executive Director of the California School Boards Association (CSBA) after working as Representative Matsui’s staffer.
Gordon rose to prominence at CSBA for his knowledge of school finance and Proposition 98, California’s state constitution’s guarantee of financing for K–14 education. Along with his work on school finance while at CSBA, he was also actively involved in several successful initiatives to pass state school bonds for the renovation and construction of educational facilities, a vocal opponent of two dubious ballot initiatives promoting school vouchers, and a supporter of the adoption and implementation of class size reduction.
During his five years in office, Gordon was a close advisor to then-Gov. Gray Davis was heavily involved in his efforts to improve and reform schools.
Gordon joined the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) as the group’s executive director after serving as the CSBA’s lead lobbyist for several years. On fiscal and management concerns that impacted all facets of school operations, CASBO represented the opinions of California’s public school agencies. He gained notoriety for his persistent push to increase per-pupil spending for K–12 public schools during his time at CASBO and for his open criticism of lawmakers who took part in efforts to manipulate and weaken constitutional and statutory guarantees for school finance.
When Gordon was at CASBO, Arnold Schwarzenegger became well-known as governor of California. At Gordon’s first CASBO event, Schwarzenegger made an appearance and worked to support Proposition 49, Gordon’s winning ballot initiative that would have funded after-school programs.
Capital Advisors had retained more than ten lobbyists on staff and had expanded to serve the most advocacy clients of any lobbying firm in California in less than ten years. (The website of the Secretary of State for lobbying firms.) The California School Boards Association, the Association of California School Administrators, and the Small School Districts Association are just a few of the powerful statewide associations for K–12 public schools that the firm represents, in addition to representing public education agencies.