This bill amends current law to expand financial literacy instruction requirements to include high school students, in addition to the existing requirement for middle school students. It specifies that school districts must incorporate financial literacy instruction into the curriculum for students in grades six through eight and mandates that each high school student complete a one-semester course in financial literacy. The bill also clarifies that instruction focused primarily on economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy will not fulfill the financial literacy requirement.

Additionally, the bill outlines the content that must be included in the financial literacy curriculum, such as budgeting, savings, credit, debt, insurance, investment, behavioral economics, banking, consumer skills, taxes, and college financial planning. It requires that the instruction be delivered by teachers holding specific endorsements in relevant subjects. Furthermore, for a State-endorsed diploma, local graduation requirements must include the completion of the financial literacy course. The act is set to take effect immediately, with the high school requirement applying to students entering 12th grade in the 2027-2028 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:35-4.34