Achieve Financial Success: Make Personal Finance Education a High School Requirement in California

It is becoming increasingly clear that having a basic understanding of personal finance is essential for living a successful life. As such, personal finance should be necessary for high school graduation in California. With the California Personal Finance Education Initiative, students are more likely to gain the literacy and life skills needed for long-term financial success.

Personal Finance Education Enhances Core Subjects and Promotes Social Justice

Making personal finance a graduation requirement will not detract from other key subjects like math and reading, but rather, enhances them. Not only does personal finance education help bridge the engagement gap, but it provides real-world applications for fundamental reading and math skills. Plus, it is a matter of social justice, as the proposed initiative intends to give all California high school students, regardless of background and income, equal access to personal finance knowledge and tools.

The Need for Personal Finance Education in California

Currently, the state of California has earned an ‘F’ in financial literacy according to a report card from the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College. Therefore, making personal finance a graduation requirement is a step California should take to ensure that every student is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve financial success.