New York City is the financial capital of the world, but we aren’t prepared to live in it. The New York State Education Department doesn’t require that high schools teach financial literacy. If you don’t learn about taxes, budgeting, or loans at home, you’re pretty much on your own. Though financial literacy education can’t fix systemic poverty, learning how to manage money in school is a good place to start. 

Learning how to manage money in high school will ensure that we are ready for real-world financial decisions, many of which we are already making every day. The best way to make sure all teens are financially prepared for their futures is to get us that education at school. We won’t be able to opt out of financial decisions in the real world. The best way to close the gap in financial education is to mandate it, full stop.

For curriculum, the NYC DOE could follow The Council of Economic Education’s plan, which includes six units: earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit, and managing risk. Professional development can help ensure that teachers are prepared to teach this class.

Let’s get the students of New York City schools the education we need. Sign this petition to urge the DOE to mandate a personal finance course for high school graduation.

Noa Salas Adam
Student Reporter, Miseducation, The Bell