Under measures being proposed by the Minnesota Legislature, students would be forced to complete classes in ethnic studies, personal economics, and government and citizenship.
The House Education Policy Committee passed measures on Tuesday to make ethnic studies and personal finance programs required for high school graduation, sending the bills ahead in the house.
Personal Finance Education
The committee agreed to hold the bill requiring a government and citizenship class until it could be incorporated into a bigger education package.
According to the Minnesota Financial Literacy Council, 17 states have comparable laws in effect. The notion has been floating about in Minnesota for years, but it hasn’t gained enough traction to become law.
Stephanie Musgrove works with BestPrep and the Jump$tart Coalition of Minnesota, two organizations that teach the fundamentals of personal finance to teens and young people. She is pleased that legislators are interested in high school kids’ financial education.
According to the Minnesota Financial Literacy Council, around 7% of high school students are enrolled in these subjects.
“I think it’s really important, basic knowledge,” Anita Drentlaw says, CEO of New Market Bank’s. She claims that numerous community banks, including hers, are working inside schools to teach children about money.
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How The New Rule Could Be Implemented?
Several of the other senators on the Education Policy Committee agree, but some are concerned about how this new rule will be implemented. Concerns include whether the classes should be taught in person or online, as well as who should teach them.
Senators were also interested in learning whether school districts would need more cash and resources to include these classes in their curricula.
Senators Draheim and Cwodzinski both said they are prepared to address these concerns as they work together to fine-tune their legislation, which may wind up combining into a single comprehensive bill.
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