Making change: Financial literacy courses will soon be mandatory for all high school grads

by John Fensterwald, EdSource July 4, 2024July 2, 2024

Tim Ranzetta, sponsor of the personal finance initiative and proponent of legislation that Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will sign, presents signatures for the initiative at the Secretary of State's office in March. With him are state Controller Malia Cohen, center, and personal finance teacher Crystal Rigley Janis. (Californians for Financial Education/EdSource)

SOON, ALL CALIFORNIA high school students will learn about college grants and loans, how tax rates work, the benefits of insurance and how interest high rates can blow your budget when you miss a payment on a credit card.

Last week, legislators rushed to pass legislation that would make California the 26th state to require a course in personal finance as a requirement for high school graduation as of 2030-31. A semester of personal finance must be offered in all high schools starting in 2026-27.

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