The Kentucky General Assembly is considering some modifications to a financial literacy program for high schools. Two years ago, the legislature passed a measure requiring students entering the ninth grade this fall to take such a course before graduating.
Bill Sponsor Jim DuPlessis said the bill this session calls for a half credit, which is about 60 hours of instruction. He said the instruction goes well beyond knowing how to balance a check book. “Understanding predatory lending, it’s understanding compounding interest, it’s understanding how the stock market works, it’s understanding how to create a budget. It’s understanding how to determine if going to four years of college and taking out a loan is financially worth it instead of going to a vocational school and maybe going that route,” said Duplessis.
Some committee members questioned the half credit requirement and teacher availability. DuPlessis said the bill provides great flexibility where any teacher can serve as the instructor for the financial literacy course.?
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