Today’s financial world is far different than the checking versus savings duality our parents and grandparents grew up with, and the consequences for mistakes are far greater. High school graduates face stagnant wage growth, crippling college debt, and a record breaking rise in cost of living. Now, throw in a global pandemic that will impact generations to come. This is why we are asking that you support HB 437-- to make personal financial literacy a graduation requirement for all Texas public high schools. The future is in the hands of our students. Once they graduate from high school, they are exposed to the world of credit cards, loans, debts, and more. It is vital to do your duty in ensuring future generations are prepared for financial stability. Thank you for serving the great state of Texas and we hope to have your support.

The best of habits start early. Let's make personal financial literacy one of them. For example, debt repayment is a very real challenge for Americans. Nearly 6 in 10 adults (58%) find it difficult to minimize their debt, while 62% of adults have carried credit card debt in the last 12 months. With the economic impact of COVID-19, it is more important than ever that students in Texas public high schools learn how to plan for their financial futures. Anything can happen and it is important to be prepared. This is why we are asking that you support HB 437-- to make personal financial literacy a graduation requirement for all Texas public high schools. The future is in the hands of our students. Once they graduate from high school, they are exposed to the world of credit cards, loans, debts, and more. It is vital to do your duty in ensuring future generations are prepared for financial stability. Thank you for serving the great state of Texas and we hope to have your support.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2015, 69% of students enrolled in college in the fall immediately following high school completion. That means that about 31% of students are likely entering the workforce after high school. Regardless of when a young person's formal education ends, they will be thrust into situations where they need to know how to manage daily living expenses. So, high school seems like the best and most logical place to deliver personal finance education to America's youth. This is why we are asking that you support SB 1063-- to make personal financial literacy a graduation requirement for all Texas public high schools. The future is in the hands of our students. Once they graduate from high school, they are exposed to the world of credit cards, loans, debts, and more. It is vital to do your duty in ensuring future generations are prepared for financial stability. Thank you for serving the great state of Texas and we hope to have your support.

The Texas Administrative Code defines financial literacy as becoming a “self-supporting adult who can make informed decisions relating to personal financial matters.” Necessary skills include: Balancing a checkbook, understanding the terms of an insurance policy, understanding how to invest in stock and financial markets, knowing how to avoid credit card debt, buy a home and plan for retirement. Can we agree these things are important? Further, important for Texas public high school students to learn before embarking on the real world? This is why we are asking that you support SB 1063-- to make personal financial literacy a graduation requirement for all Texas public high schools. The future is in the hands of our students. Once they graduate from high school, they are exposed to the world of credit cards, loans, debts, and more. It is vital to do your duty in ensuring future generations are prepared for financial stability. Thank you for serving the great state of Texas and we hope to have your support.