The bill aims to enhance financial education in Washington's public schools by making it a graduation prerequisite and a required component of the curriculum. It mandates that starting in or before the 2025-26 school year, high school students must complete at least one-half credit of financial education instruction to graduate, with the requirement beginning for the graduating class of 2029. The instruction can be delivered through standalone courses or integrated into other subjects. Additionally, the bill requires school districts to submit plans to the state board of education by December 15, 2024, detailing how they will meet this requirement.

Furthermore, the bill expands financial education to elementary and middle school students, requiring instruction to be provided multiple times throughout their schooling. Specifically, students in grades K-3 will receive instruction twice, grades 4-5 twice, and grades 6-8 (or 6-9 if grade nine is not offered) four times. The legislation emphasizes the importance of financial literacy for students' future economic well-being and aims to ensure that all students have access to this essential knowledge. The bill also includes amendments to existing laws, such as updating the instructional materials and aligning them with the financial education learning standards.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.300.468