California will require all high school students to complete a personal finance course to graduate, starting with the class of 2031. Fresno Unified, the state's third-largest district, has been an early adopter and is helping guide the statewide implementation.
- The mandate, established by Assembly Bill 2927, makes California the 26th state with such a requirement. - Fresno Unified teacher Jeff Allen, who led the district's rollout, authored the state's curriculum guide.
- The course covers 13 topics including banking, debt management, investing, and credit scores. - Other districts like Pasadena Unified and Elk Grove Unified have also launched courses ahead of the deadline.
The new requirement has broad support from adults who recognize the value of financial literacy, and educators report high student engagement in the classes.