FinanceForest org, a community of youth dedicated to advancing financial literacy, seeks to urge Washington State legislators to implement Personal Financial Literacy as a mandatory class at the high school level.

The need for this petition is driven by the profound necessity of financial education among all individuals, not just those pursuing finance. Careers in medicine, engineering, arts, and even business can greatly benefit from financial acumen. According to the National Financial Educators Council, inadequate financial knowledge cost American adults an average of $1,506 in 2023. This disturbing statistic highlights the financial loss that could be curtailed with the implementation of financial education in schools.

Without this education, young adults entering the workforce or college are at risk of costly mistakes, such as credit card debt and unnecessary loans. Financial literacy education is especially crucial for diverse youth and communities, who often face systemic barriers to financial inclusion and wealth-building opportunities. By providing this education, we can help level the playing field and empower underrepresented groups to make informed decisions about their financial futures. Currently, 26 states require financial literacy education in high school, but Washington State is not one of them. The proposed House Bill 1915, aimed at this purpose, unfortunately died in 2024. It's time to revive this initiative.

The Seattle Times recently published an article emphasizing the importance of financial literacy education in Washington State. 

Our proposal includes providing necessary funding, making space in the curriculum, ensuring all schools are prepared, and giving schools a year to prepare, followed by a four-year timeline to make the course mandatory by 2029 or 2030. The course requires just 0.5 credits, which can fit into the existing schedule by adjusting art credits from 1-2 to 0.5-1.5 or using some of the 4 available elective credits.

Washington State must lead the charge in this fight for financial literacy. The collective economic prosperity and individual financial autonomy of our citizens, especially the youth, must be a priority.

Your voice matters! By signing this petition, you're advocating for a brighter financial future for the youth of Washington State. Together, we can prevent financial hardship and empower the next generation to make informed decisions about money.

Sign this petition today and make a lasting impact!