Missouri House Bill HB1727

Missouri 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/3/24
• Refer: 1/4/24

Caption

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to develop a curriculum on personal finance to be used by school districts

Impact

The bill's provisions highlight a significant change in the educational landscape of Missouri by integrating personal finance into the standard high school curriculum. Starting from the 2025-26 school year, the requirement for a personal finance course will become a critical component for graduation. This move is anticipated to equip students with essential skills that are vital for their future financial decisions, potentially reducing financial illiteracy rates among young adults in the state.

Summary

House Bill 1727 mandates the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop and implement a curriculum focused on personal finance for high school students. This bill requires that each student satisfactorily completes a half-unit credit in personal finance to be eligible for graduation. The implementation of this personal finance course is aimed at enhancing financial literacy among students, preparing them for personal and professional financial management in today's economy. The curriculum is expected to include updated tools and resources to ensure relevancy and effectiveness in teaching young people about financial matters.

Contention

While proponents of the bill argue that this educational reform is necessary for fostering a financially literate population, there may be challenges in its implementation. Concerns could arise regarding the adequacy of resources, training of educators, and the ability of school districts to adapt to the new requirements. Additionally, some stakeholders might debate the sufficiency of the proposed standards and the methods by which they will be evaluated and updated over time.