To: This petition urges Chris Reykdal (WA Superintendent), Governor Jay Inslee, and lawmakers Kloba, Duerr, Bergquist, and Stanford to mandate financial literacy in Washington high schools.
Mandate Financial Literacy in High Schools Now: Empower the Next Generation!
Dear Legislators and Education Leaders,
My name is Rithika Binu, and I am a 16-year-old student at Interlake High School in Bellevue, Washington. I’m writing to share why I believe financial literacy education should be mandatory in our high schools.
When I was younger, I experienced a financial situation that made me realize how unprepared many young people are to manage money. Decisions about managing those funds were made for me because it was assumed I wouldn’t have the maturity to handle them—even as I approached adulthood. This eye-opening experience made me reflect on a larger issue: the lack of financial literacy education in schools, which leaves students unprepared to navigate financial challenges.
It’s not that young people lack potential—it’s that we aren’t given the tools. Financial literacy is an essential life skill, yet most schools don’t teach students how to budget, save, manage credit, or plan for their futures. Many of my peers ask questions like How do I create a budget? What’s a credit score? How do I save for my goals?—but there’s no structured way to learn these skills in school.
This realization inspired me to begin working on Junior Finance Academy (https://www.juniorfinanceacademy.com/), an initiative to teach students financial skills and empower them to make informed decisions. However, programs like mine can only reach so many students. That’s why I’m advocating for financial literacy to become a mandatory part of the high school curriculum in Washington.
A semester-long course covering essential topics like budgeting, saving, credit, loans, taxes, and investing would prepare students to take control of their financial futures. States like Utah and Missouri have already implemented similar programs, showing significant improvements in financial behavior among young adults. Washington has the opportunity to follow their lead and ensure that every student is equipped with these essential life skills.
I urge you to champion this critical initiative and prioritize financial literacy education in Washington high schools. Together, we can create a future where teens like me—and generations to come—are prepared to confidently manage their financial lives.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be happy to share more about my experiences and the work I’ve been doing if that would be helpful.
Sincerely,
Rithika Binu
Interlake High School Student
Rithika Binu
Interlake High School Student
Why is this important?
What is the Problem?
High school students are graduating without essential financial literacy skills, leaving them unprepared to navigate adulthood successfully. Many teens don't know how to budget, save, manage credit, or invest, which can lead to debt, poor financial decisions, and long-term financial instability. The lack of financial education in schools fails to prepare students for real-world challenges, perpetuating a cycle of financial insecurity.
High school students are graduating without essential financial literacy skills, leaving them unprepared to navigate adulthood successfully. Many teens don't know how to budget, save, manage credit, or invest, which can lead to debt, poor financial decisions, and long-term financial instability. The lack of financial education in schools fails to prepare students for real-world challenges, perpetuating a cycle of financial insecurity.
What Action Could Be Taken?
Mandate financial literacy education as a semester-long course in all high schools across Washington State. The course should cover critical topics such as budgeting, saving, credit management, taxes, and investing. This program can be modeled after successful initiatives like Utah’s General Financial Literacy course, which has significantly improved financial behaviors among students.
Mandate financial literacy education as a semester-long course in all high schools across Washington State. The course should cover critical topics such as budgeting, saving, credit management, taxes, and investing. This program can be modeled after successful initiatives like Utah’s General Financial Literacy course, which has significantly improved financial behaviors among students.
State lawmakers, education boards, and officials, such as the Superintendent of Public Instruction, can introduce legislation or curriculum changes to make financial literacy education a requirement for high school graduation. Allocating resources and prioritizing financial literacy as part of the curriculum is essential to achieving this.
Why Is It Important?
Financial literacy is a life skill that impacts every individual. Without it, young adults are more likely to fall into debt, struggle with financial planning, and face economic hardships. Preparing students with these skills before they graduate will:
Financial literacy is a life skill that impacts every individual. Without it, young adults are more likely to fall into debt, struggle with financial planning, and face economic hardships. Preparing students with these skills before they graduate will:
- Reduce student debt and financial mismanagement.
- Empower teens to make informed decisions about their financial futures.
- Foster long-term financial stability for individuals and communities.
This change will create a generation of financially responsible and independent young adults who are equipped to contribute positively to society.
Why Should Others Join This Campaign?
Everyone benefits from a financially literate society. Parents want their children to succeed, educators want to prepare students for the real world, and communities thrive when individuals are financially stable. Joining this campaign means advocating for a future where young adults are empowered, confident, and capable of managing their finances.
Everyone benefits from a financially literate society. Parents want their children to succeed, educators want to prepare students for the real world, and communities thrive when individuals are financially stable. Joining this campaign means advocating for a future where young adults are empowered, confident, and capable of managing their finances.
By supporting this initiative, you are helping to ensure that no student enters adulthood without the tools they need to succeed. Together, we can make financial literacy education a priority and create lasting change for future generations.
How it will be delivered
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