Financial Literacy Requirement Coming to California High Schools

I was excited to learn recently that financial literacy will soon be a requirement for high school graduation in California. This move, championed by California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, marks a significant step towards equipping young people with essential life skills that many of us, myself included, sorely lacked when we ventured into adulthood.

When I graduated from college, I felt utterly blindsided by the realities of adult finances. The excitement of earning my first paycheck quickly gave way to confusion and distress as I grappled with managing expenses, understanding credit, and planning for the future. Without a foundational knowledge of personal finance, I made several missteps that led to years of financial instability. It was a long and challenging journey to educate myself and achieve financial stability, one that could have been significantly easier with proper financial education from the start.

This is why I'm so passionate about the new requirement for financial literacy education in California high schools. Under Tony Thurmond’s leadership, this initiative ensures that students will learn critical skills such as budgeting, saving, investing, and understanding credit before they step into the real world. These are the tools that will empower them to make informed financial decisions and avoid the pitfalls that many of us encountered.

I am heartened to see that the next generation will be more financially literate and prepared to face the economic challenges of adulthood. This educational requirement is not just about understanding money; it’s about fostering a generation that can achieve greater financial independence and security. Knowing that students will graduate with a solid grasp of personal finance brings me immense relief and optimism for their futures, and our collective future as a nation.

Making financial literacy a graduation requirement in California high schools is a monumental step forward. It represents a commitment to better preparing young adults for the realities of life beyond the classroom. As someone who has felt the sting of financial ignorance, I am grateful that my students will be better equipped to navigate their financial journeys with confidence and knowledge.

Financially literacy classes are expected to be available for all high schoolers by the 2027-2028 school year, with the course being a graduation requirement by the 2030-2031 school year. You can find out more here.