WHO: Director of Commerce Gary C. Suhadolnik and

Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Susan T. Zelman

WHAT: A news conference to announce a new high school curriculum designed to improve the financial literacy of Ohio's high school students. The new curriculum is titled "Financial Literacy 2001 Project" which includes the "Basics of Saving & Investing: A Teaching Guide."

WHEN: Thursday, April 29 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Riffe Tower, 77 South High Street, 23rd Floor, Columbus

WHY: Younger Ohioans are facing a financial literarcy crisis as these statistics illustrate:

• American teenagers spend an average of $84 per week for a total of $100 billion a year.

• College students with their own credit cards carry an average unpaid balance of $1,039.

• The average student who takes out a college student loan graduates with $20,000 in debt.

• 8.7% of bankruptcy filings in 1997 were among 18-25 years olds.

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