Grade A for the Class of 2030. In December 13, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed a bill into law that requires, beginning with students entering high school in the 2026-2027 school year (the Class of 2030), that each student take a mandatory half-year personal financial literacy course prior to graduation. The course must be worth at least one-half credit and can be completed in ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade. The law instructs the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to develop model curriculum for economic education and personal financial literacy programs. PDE is required to review and update its existing model curriculum materials and other available resources no later than the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. The PDE is required to develop or identify a model curriculum and a list of materials which high schools may use when providing the personal financial literacy course. The PDE is also instructed to consult with multiple organizations specializing in financial literacy education when developing the model curriculum and education materials. PDE must also provide clarification regarding teacher certifications required for teaching the mandatory personal financial literacy course. The law states that any educator that is assigned to teach this course shall not bear any costs related to earning an add-on certification necessary to provide this instruction to students.
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