RALEIGH, N.C. -- A North Carolina children's advocacy group says students need to be taught basic financial concepts in school if the state is to establish a stable, strong economy.

Action for Children plans to increase its campaign for financial literacy with a report on Thursday. The group's report says about a quarter of North Carolina households do not have a savings account.

The group supports legislation in the General Assembly that would create a Financial Literacy Council that would coordinate financial education within public schools and identify programs that reach people outside the public school system.

The aim is to improve the knowledge people have about navigating the complex financial marketplace.