A spokeswoman for the Wyoming Department of Education says the agency is looking at ways to improve financial literacy and computer skills education in state schools.

Kari Eakins says state Superintendent Jillian Balow and state Treasurer Mark Gordon have been discussing ways to upgrade financial literacy education  for a year or so.

Eakins says one option would be to make some changes in state education law to make financial literacy a higher priority than is currently the case. She says right now the amount of financial education that is available varies widely from district to district in the state, with some districts offering quite a bit and some virtually nothing.

Eakins says one program that might offer a model for financial literacy is the Central Wyoming Boys and Girls Clubs, which offer students the chance to run "Wyotown."

Participants hold jobs and are responsible for spending money, paying bills and maintaining bank accounts. Eakins says schools in Cody and Powell likewise seem to be doing a good job of teaching students about money matter and might be a model for financial education programs.

In terms of computer sciences, Eakins says state schools right now are only required to offer education on using a keyboard. She adds, "We know in the 21st century it's a little bit more than keyboarding that's required."

Eakins says one possibility would be offering computational and coding classes being offered as math or science courses. She says education officials will be making presentations to legislators in coming weeks on some of the ideas to improve financial and computer educations.

It would then be up to lawmakers whether to consider any bills in the 2017 General Session of the legislature.

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