A rapidly changing society calls for a change in curriculum. Beginning as soon as the 2026-27 school year, high school seniors will have to pass a few additional classes to graduate — a financial literacy class, an ethnic studies course, and in some districts, a health class discussing the dangers of fentanyl use.
The goal of AB 2927, which was approved last week, is to better prepare students for life long skills such as investing, spending wisely and saving. Requiring students to take a financial literacy class will help set them up for the real world and the financial demands of life.
AB 2429, which was also passed last week, was triggered by the alarming rate of fentanyl and opioid deaths, particularly in California. The bill requires school health classes to include curriculum on the dangers of fentanyl use no later than the 2026-27 school year.
Students will also have to take a one-semester ethnic studies course beginning in 2025-26, and the class of 2030 will have to pass it in order to graduate.
With teacher shortages on the horizon, it’s unclear who will be teaching these newly required courses but we shall stay tuned for more legislative updates.
To read more about new graduation requirements, see the link below:
