Michigan High School Students Have New Graduation Requirement!

I think that we all will agree that after our kids graduate from high school and college, there is probably one thing missing in their education, financial literacy!

In other words, things as simple as writing a check, budgeting their personal finances, saving money, investing, managing credit, whatever, that part of their education has been missing because unless mom and dad taught them, it wasn't there.

Not anymore!

Now there is something new that all Michigan high school students will have to take in order to graduate.

What is it?

A personal finance class!

Of course all the basics are still required in order to graduate, English, Math, Science, and the like, but adding this new 1/2 credit course could be the catalyst to a much happier life after graduation.

Our sister station, WKFR reported:

"According to the Michigan Department of Education, students starting their freshman year will be the first to complete a half-credit of personal finance education as a graduation requirement. The requirement can be fulfilled in a personal finance class or another course that adds the new standards, such as economics, a career and technical education program, or math. The financial literacy course helps provide students with practical tools to help make informed financial decisions in the future."

But, what about our kids? Do they think this is a good idea or a waste of time?

Not according to an Intuit survey!

Survey says: "U.S. High School students want financial education in school!" The survey found that today most students had to rely on their parents for financial advise and that isn't always the best idea.

Michigan's recognition of this lack of student financial literacy is commendable and should, hopefully, point our students toward success.