On March 22^nd Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1054, titled the Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act, which requires high school students to take a financial literacy course to receive a standard high school diploma. 

Unfortunately this doesn’t take effect until the incoming freshmen class starts in the 2023-2024 school year, but it is a huge step in the right direction.  For far too long the education system has needed to change their model which has continuously led to students having knowledge of how to make a funnel cake in Home Economics and no idea how taxes work.  We have students that understand how to turn on a Bunsen burner but no idea how to keep the lights on at home.  

For decades, we the people have complained that there is a huge blind spot in education that has stopped preparing its students for the real world and there have been advocates that exclaim… it’s not that hard to make some small adjustments that would make a world of difference.  Well, here we are, and DeSantis has made steps in creating that change.  

Financial literacy is one of the many missing links to a strong financial future in this country and giving students knowledge of credit, budgeting, savings and investing will enable students to have a more well-rounded look on their future in the real world.  These lessons are critical to giving students the ability to learn accountability, the power of capitalism and self-responsibility.