The public is invited to participate in a hybrid hearing for the Joint Committee on Education on January 10, which will be live-streamed on the Massachusetts Legislature website. Register to testify virtually or in-person at the upcoming hearing. The deadline to sign up for virtual testimony is 3:00PM on Monday, January 8th.

Learn more about the upcoming hearing, including information on how to submit written testimony.

We can equip every student with the tools to budget, build credit, and invest intelligently. But we need your voice. Join our letter-writing campaign urging legislators to co-sponsor crucial legislation mandating personal finance education in schools. Your words will resonate, showing the widespread support for empowering students to make informed financial decisions.

The Financial Empowerment Network supports H.4199 An Act relative to personal financial literacy, filed by Rep. Hamilton, a bill that adopts a personal finance requirement, establishes a funding mechanism, provides for options in implementation, and requires an annual report on the status of district implementation plans.

Massachusetts has a history of leading the nation in education whether it was its focus on literacy during the colonial period, the first public school or its education reform movement in 1993. But when it comes to financial education, it is woefully deficient. Currently, only 17 school districts in the 351 cities and towns require a standalone personal finance class in Massachusetts.

Other states are leading the way. Currently, 25 states guarantee a course in personal financial education before students graduate and other states have legislation working through their legislatures. Learn more about legislation in other states in the bill tracker on the NGPF website.