Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman LISA SWAIN
District 38 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Requires high school students to receive financial literacy instruction.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning financial literacy, amending P.L.2018, c.167, and supplementing chapter 7C of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2018, c.167 (C.18A:35-4.34) is amended to read as follows:
1. The State Board of Education shall require that a school district incorporate financial literacy instruction in [each of the grades six through eight financial literacy instruction to pupils enrolled in those grades] an appropriate place in the curriculum of students enrolled in grades six through eight.
The State board shall require that a school district provide to each high school student a one semester course in financial literacy.
The purpose of the middle school and high school instruction shall be to provide [middle school] students with the basic financial literacy necessary for sound financial decision-making.
The instruction shall meet the requirements established by the State board and shall:
a. be appropriate to, and reflect the age and comprehension of, the students enrolled in the particular grade level; and
b. include content on budgeting, savings, credit, debt, insurance, investment, behavioral economics, banking, consumer skills, taxes, college financial planning, and other issues associated with personal financial responsibility as determined by the State board.
Instruction that principally addresses economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy shall not be used to satisfy the financial literacy instruction requirement established pursuant to this section.
The instruction shall be taught by a teacher holding an endorsement in:
(1) Business, Comprehensive Business;
(2) Business, Finance, Economics, Law;
(3) Family and Consumer Sciences;
(4) Social Studies; or
(5) Middle School with Subject Matter Specialization, Social Studies in Grades 5 through 8.
The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with sample instructional materials and resources that may be used to support the implementation of the financial literacy instruction requirement.
(cf: P.L.2018, c.167, s.1)
2. (New section) For a State-endorsed diploma, district boards of education shall develop, adopt, and implement local graduation requirements that include a requirement that a high school student complete the financial literacy course provided pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2018, c.167 (C.18A:35-4.34).
3. This act shall take effect immediately and section 2 shall first apply to students entering 12th grade in the 2027-2028 school year.
STATEMENT
Current law requires middle school students to receive instruction in financial literacy. This bill amends the law to also require high school students to receive instruction in financial literacy. The bill clarifies that instruction that principally addresses economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy will not satisfy the financial literacy instruction requirement.
The bill requires, for a State-endorsed diploma, district boards of education to develop, adopt, and implement local graduation requirements that require a high school student to complete the financial literacy course.
The bill also adds additional content to be included in the financial literacy curriculum, including behavioral economics, banking, consumer skills, taxes, and college financial planning. Finally, the bill amends the law to require that the financial literacy instruction be taught by teachers with appropriate instructional endorsements in specific areas.