TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Learning to correctly manage your money when you are young can payoff throughout the rest of your life.
That's why lawmakers are trying to get a bill passed, making it mandatory for Florida high schoolers to learn financial literacy.
SB-114 or the Dorothy L. Hughkill Financial Literacy Act, would require high school students to take a one-half-course in financial literacy and financial education to graduate.
The class would cover topics like how to open and manage bank accounts, manage debt, and balance a checkbook.
Jared Ross, Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the Florida Credit Union Association, said financial literacy is one of the most important things a student can learn.
"We really do believe that there is no better life skill to give a graduating high school student than what it really means to be financially literate," said Ross.
If passed, the law would pertain to students entering the 9th grade in the 2019-2020 and all other high schoolers thereafter.
Florida would be one of 17 states to require a financial literacy course to get a high school diploma if the bill is passed.
