A financial literacy course has made its way onto the November ballot. In November, California voters may have the unusual opportunity of deciding whether the state should add a new course to its high school graduation requirements. While a financial education course appears to have widespread support, this Ed Week article questions whether voters should decide what schools teach. “Schools have limited time to teach concepts like advanced math and literacy that are necessary to compete in a changing economy, and future ballot questions might crowd out needed coursework,” critics have said. Leaving this curricular decision to a popular vote may be a slippery slope; yet, the importance of this particular course may influence supporters to back the ballot measure.
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The finance education ballot measure would require all high schools, including charter schools, to offer a personal-finance course by the 2026-27 school year. Starting in 2029-30, that course would be required for students to graduate. Local school boards could choose their own curriculum to teach concepts, including the dangers of predatory lending, the tax system, establishing credit, and retirement accounts.
