The Association and our members have been longstanding proponents of implementing financial literacy and personal finance curriculum throughout Massachusetts public schools. As part of the Association's legislative program for the 2025-2026 legislative session, the Association is pleased to have filed legislation that, in part, overhauls the financial literacy curriculum standards and requires high school students to take at least 1 standalone personal financial literacy course prior to graduation. Please see below for the bill number and a corresponding summary:
H.627– An Act Relative to the strengthening of financial literacy throughout the Commonwealth
Sponsor: Rep. John Lawn (D-Watertown)
Summary: This bill overhauls financial literacy curriculum standards and requires high school students to take at least 1 standalone personal financial literacy course prior to graduation; and establishes a Financial Literacy Trust Fund to support the implementation of these provisions. The bill also establishes special legislative commission pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to serve to improve the financial literacy and education of all people in the commonwealth through development of a statewide strategy to promote financial literacy and education. The commission shall solicit input from the public, educators, businesses and the financial services industry on financial literacy trends, the prevalence of written and online financial education platforms, as well as other resources that could be utilized to benefit the people of the commonwealth.
Additional Information: To complement our advocacy efforts on Beacon Hill, the Association submitted a comment letter to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education urging the Massachusetts Board of Education to consider implementing financial literacy and personal finance curriculum throughout Massachusetts public schools as a requirement for Massachusetts students to graduate from high school. To read our letter to the Board, click here.
Separately, in 2024, the Mass Bankers Charitable Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $155,000 to deserving non-profit organizations across Massachusetts dedicated to advancing financial literacy. We are immensely proud to represent an industry that is dedicated to ensuring our youth and residents of all ages have access to financial literacy programs.