California Assembly Bill 2927 was recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom requiring high schools to offer a financial literacy course by the 2027-2028 school year and make financial literacy a graduation requirement by 2030-2031. This legislation highlights the critical need to prepare youth for their financial futures by safeguarding widespread access to financial literacy education.
Junior Achievement of San Diego (JA San Diego) has been committed to empowering the next generation to achieve economic success through financial literacy and workforce development programming since 1950. The nonprofit provides K-12 experiential programs that inspire and prepare students for their futures by working with educators and administrators across 36 of the 42 San Diego County school districts.
JA programs not only educate students on key financial literacy topics but incorporate simulation-based learning experiences to give young people hands-on practice in managing their money.
IMMERSIVE HANDS-ON LEARNING
Programs such as Mission Fed JA Finance Park challenge students to budget a month’s work of adult finances including childcare, housing, transportation, and other cost of living expenses; while programs like JA Stock Market Challenge introduce students to stock market fundamentals and investment strategies through a stock market simulation.
Experiential financial literacy programs like these provide students the opportunity to gain familiarity with financial literacy concepts in a safe, risk-free environment. Students understand how they can apply their financial literacy knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations.
Students who have participated in JA programs report higher levels of financial well-being in adulthood and hit financial milestones earlier than their peers. Through hands-on learning experiences, students become more comfortable in handling finances and are familiar with the tools and knowledge that support them in reaching their financial goals.
A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD
AB 2927 is a key step forward in ensuring young people have the knowledge and tools to manage their personal finances. Early exposure to financial literacy helps students recognize the importance of saving and investing, how to utilize debt strategically, and how to build a budget that aligns with their lifestyle.
Providing financial literacy education to students in historically underserved communities is especially critical in bridging socio-economic and racial wealth gaps that persist in our communities. By equipping young people with the tools and knowledge to take control of their finances, students learn how to prioritize their spending during financial hardships and how they can grow and build their wealth.
As financial literacy education becomes accessible to California youth, experiential learning will equip students with the experience and confidence to apply what they learn in the classroom to relevant real-world applications. JA San Diego intends to work closely with educators and school districts to provide financial literacy programming and immersive learning experiences to students.
To learn more about JA San Diego and their K-12 financial literacy programs, visit jasandiego.org/ja-programs.