CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- If you've ever heard me speak on the subject of education, no doubt the line "Nothing opens the doors of opportunity like education" crops up.

Members of my staff have heard it so many times they can probably see it coming from a mile away. So yes, I say it a lot. I mean it.

Speaking of education, I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I suppose I will this time. In mid-October I journeyed to Philadelphia to receive the Excellence in Financial Literacy Education award, given by the Institute for Financial Literacy.

EIFLE officials cited our NetWorth initiative in presenting me the award, praising the comprehensive nature of the program and the fact it will be seamlessly inserted into already existing curriculum.

I won't mind telling you I'm proud. It's not the accolades or the attention but knowing someone else thinks what we're doing is worthwhile.

"Financial literacy is vital for individuals to navigate our increasingly uncertain economic climate and has garnered the attention of policy makers, employers and the general public," EIFLE said.

In the past we did not do a particularly good job of providing financial education to our young people, but now we may not be able to take that same casual approach. In the face of diminishing credit, a declining job market, and an increasing number of get-rich-quick schemes, today's youth especially must know the ins and outs of personal finance.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- If you've ever heard me speak on the subject of education, no doubt the line "Nothing opens the doors of opportunity like education" crops up.

Members of my staff have heard it so many times they can probably see it coming from a mile away. So yes, I say it a lot. I mean it.

Speaking of education, I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I suppose I will this time. In mid-October I journeyed to Philadelphia to receive the Excellence in Financial Literacy Education award, given by the Institute for Financial Literacy.

EIFLE officials cited our NetWorth initiative in presenting me the award, praising the comprehensive nature of the program and the fact it will be seamlessly inserted into already existing curriculum.

I won't mind telling you I'm proud. It's not the accolades or the attention but knowing someone else thinks what we're doing is worthwhile.

"Financial literacy is vital for individuals to navigate our increasingly uncertain economic climate and has garnered the attention of policy makers, employers and the general public," EIFLE said.

In the past we did not do a particularly good job of providing financial education to our young people, but now we may not be able to take that same casual approach. In the face of diminishing credit, a declining job market, and an increasing number of get-rich-quick schemes, today's youth especially must know the ins and outs of personal finance.

Before the year is out, we will have both pre- and post-tested a sample of 3,000 students across the state. These students will have been receiving instruction throughout the year and the post-test should apprise us of what they are learning and what we need to fine-tune. They are the first wave of teachers to work cooperatively with our office and the West Virginia Department of Education.

Using our methodology, the teachers drew up 30 "instructional guides" to meet the NetWorth goal. Instead of kids, say, having a "financial education" course on their schedule, they will be taught financial principles as they're incorporated into another subject.

A math teacher going over the concept of slope on a graph might relate the process to the rising or falling stock market. Or he might be asked to calculate -- using percentages -- credit card debt or sales tax.

If all goes according to plan, our students will have received financial education from elementary through secondary school. It's my sincere hope they benefit in a way that will carry them through those often bewildering years of early adulthood.

A national organization devoted to financial education thinks we're doing good work. And that's great.

But you, the West Virginia taxpayer, are the ones whose opinion I value. I hope your children realize their NetWorth.

Perdue is treasurer of West Virginia.