Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Chamber Supports Financial Literacy Requirement
The Maryland Chamber supports legislation that would make a semester-long course in financial literacy a graduation requirement in Maryland public schools.
“It is important that young adults have financial literacy skills in order to successfully cope with credit, debt and household finances,” Maryland Chamber President & CEO Kathy Snyder, CCE said. “With record numbers of foreclosures and personal bankruptcies, we must do more to encourage individuals to responsibly manage their finances. We believe a mandatory course in financial literacy is an important step in the right direction.”
This bill would require the State Board of Education to develop curriculum content for a semester-long course in financial literacy. Each local board of education must implement the curriculum in every high school under the board’s jurisdiction, and students must complete the course in order to graduate from high school.
The Senate bill, SB 307, which is sponsored by Sen. Katherine Klausmeier (D-Dist. 8), will be heard by the Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on February 15. The Senate passed similar legislation last year, but the bill never received a vote in the House Ways & Means Committee. For more information, contact Ron Wineholt at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
