High School Personal Finance Course Gains Momentum

This week, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) sent a report to the leadership of the Florida Legislature showing that requiring high school students to take a course on personal finances could be a good bet for the state.

This report is very encouraging because it confirms that the money course is not only feasible, but cost-effective," said Florida Council for Economic Education (FCEE) Executive Director Mike Bell on Thursday. This is going to be the best money the state will ever spend preparing students for the real world. We have the data students graduating with a required money course under their belt have less debt, more money to take healthy risks, and contribute more back into the economy. Everybody wins."

Both Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Destin, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, asked for a study of how a personal finance course in high school would impact the state. Currently, 14 states require high school students take a similar course.

The FCEE has a website up stressing the benefits of a personal finance course for high schoolers.