Kids need financial literacy, casinos win bigger than their players
Gamblers play slot machines at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. on Nov. 29, 2023. Figures released on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, by the American Gaming Association show that the U.S. commercial casino industry had its best year ever in 2023, winning $66.5 billion from gamblers. When figures from tribal casinos are tallied later this year, the combined total is expected to approach $110 billion for 2023. Credit: AP/Wayne Parry
Kids need relevant financial literacy
After reading the op-ed by State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli [“Teach financial literacy in NYS schools,” Opinion, Feb. 5], along with the letter from Gloria Sesso, president of the Long Island Council for the Social Studies [“Financial literacy is in economics course,” Letters, Feb. 13], it is clear that there is agreement that New York schools need to reinvigorate economics instruction. In my 28 years of teaching social studies, I have heard that same call from parents and students.
I want my students to learn the lessons of the past in their global and American history classes, and testing is important in that process.
Civics and economics instruction are unique in that students will be called to participate in a very personal way. The stakes for our kids and community couldn’t be higher. Therefore, the state Education Department must encourage schools to emphasize experiential learning in financial literacy using methods like project-based learning (PBL).
Research shows that PBL, focusing on real-life relevance, can help students develop problem-solving skills to avoid financial traps and build independence.
They need experience besides knowledge. The old model of required content and high-stakes Regents exams is inadequate here.
The state Education Department must require districts to demonstrate that these lessons are taught in a more relevant way.
— Andrew Budris, Bellport
The writer is on the National Council for the Social Studies.
Casinos win bigger than their players
The headline “U.S. casinos won record $66.5B in ’23” [LI Business, Feb. 21] speaks for itself. Folks favoring a Nassau Hub casino should look at the big picture. The article adds that after tribal-owned casino figures are included, the total will be “close to $110 billion to U.S. casino operators in 2023.”
A wise person once said, “There are two types of gamblers: losers and liars.”
Do we really think a casino will benefit Nassau County residents long term?
— Pat McGovern, East Meadow
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