Some schools teach financial literacy but combine it with other subjects; some schools also deliver personal finance instruction digitally instead of in person. For example, in South Dakota, financial education is integrated into social studies and math curricula via digital lessons.

Tacking on personal finance with another course is inadequate, and the teachers (who do not have a background or proper training to teach financial literacy) poorly prepare students. However, these teachers are not at fault; rather, it indicates more significant flaws in how personal finance is taught in America. Standalone courses, along with better teacher resources, will ensure that students are prepared to enter the adult world.

As of 2022, 23 U.S. states have passed legislation requiring students to complete a standalone semester course on personal finance. To view an updated map of the states that require personal finance as a graduation requirement, please click here to view Next Gen Personal Finance’s ‘Got Finance?’ map.

If you live in one of the 15 states that requires students take a standalone personal finance course for high school graduation, you are in good hands.

If you do not, you can visit www.thenationsreportcard.org to see where your state falls. States are graded on a A-F scale based on various factors — including whether the courses are standalone or not, financial literacy standards, and K-8 instruction.

The best way to check if your school requires a standalone personal finance course is to review your graduation requirements. This can likely to found your school’s website or student portal. If you have trouble determining how financial literacy is taught at your school, you can also email your guidance counselor, assistant principal, or principal.

You can also visit Next Gen Personal Finance’s “Got Finance?” Map and search for your school.

Some schools, even if they are not in a state that requires standalone personal courses, are ahead of the game and have already implemented their own school-wide requirements. Schools do not need to wait for the state to adopt the policy to begin requiring students in its district to learn financial literacy. For example, in New Jersey, some schools require students to take a standalone course, while others integrate personal finance with another subject.

If you are a student at a high school that does not require a standalone personal finance course for graduation, petition your school district to change.

Many organizations, such as Gen-Z for Financial Literacy and Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF), are working to make Mission 2030 a reality. You can help by:

• Petitioning your school district for a standalone personal finance course

• Email/Phonebanking with Gen-Z for Financial Literacy

• Donating to organizations that are working to achieve Mission 2030

• Promoting #Mission2030 and sharing trusted content about the importance of financial literacy on social media