Governors say financial education should extend beyond school years

Pursuing financial literacy is something that should continue beyond traditional school years, according to several state governors.

“We think it’s a lifelong experience,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told CNBC’s Sharon Epperson during Wednesday’s event, Invest in You: The Governors Strategy Session on Financial Education.

Gov. Steve Sisolak of Nevada agrees about the importance of financial literacy.

“It’s a skill that’s necessary for your entire life,” he said. “We have to approach it more long-term in that regard.”

State of personal finance education

There are no federal guidelines for personal finance education in schools, meaning it’s up to individual states to set their own rules. And there are 23 states that mandate a personal finance course for students, according to the 2022 Survey of the States from the Council for Economic Education.

In New Jersey, personal finance education is taught in middle school, and classes in financial, economic business and entrepreneurial business literacy is required to graduate.

“You need to get to folks while they’re young, and that’s the animating reason behind getting financial literacy education into our middle school curriculum,” said Murphy, a Democrat.

More from Invest in You:
Want a fun way to teach your kids about money? Try these games
Inflation fears force Americans to rethink financial choices
Here’s what consumers plan to cut back on if prices continue to surge

Nevada students are taught about personal finance topics as a part of social studies class, generally starting in grade 3 and going through high school. In Mississippi, beginning this year, a college and career readiness class that includes personal financial education is required for high school graduation.

“Each state has to make their own decision and their own priorities as to what classes are most appropriate for their young people,” said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican. “But I am absolutely convinced that a fundamental understanding of finances is incredibly important to one’s ability to be successful in life.”

That also means that states can change their guidelines as they see fit.

“A mandatory class may be the next step we go to,” said Sisolak, a Democrat. He added that it’s important to have such curriculum in schools because many students can’t get financial education at home from their parents, who may also fall short on financial literacy.

Beyond school

The state governors agree that one of the reasons it’s important to have personal finance curriculum in schools is because many students’ parents can’t teach them about financial literacy at home or simply aren’t talking about money enough.

New Jersey is also offering residents access to more personal financial education outside of school. Murphy announced today, during the CNBC event, that the state has launched NJ FinLit, a financial…