Understanding money isn’t just for adults — it’s essential for students, too.
Kentucky has taken a significant step by passing House Bill 342, making financial literacy a mandatory course for all public high school students beginning with the Class of 2029. The initiative aims to equip students with essential skills in budgeting, investing, and taxes.
Fayette County Public Schools has integrated financial literacy into its curriculum through platforms like EVERFI, which offers free, interactive lessons on banking, employment, budgeting, insurance, credit, and paying for college.
Additionally, FCPS has partnered with Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass to bring these lessons to life through hands-on programs that simulate real-world financial scenarios.
At Dunbar, the math department offers a money skills class for seniors.
While categorized as a mathematics course, it teaches practical money management strategies.
“I think it’s great that students get to learn about things – car insurance, budgeting, retirement investing – that I know they will need to understand in the future,” money skills teacher Mr. Peter Knapp said.
Dunbar also offers a Personal Finance curriculum through their Business Pathway.
“Personal finance isn’t just about budgeting or banking, but it’s about empowering students with the tools to build a secure financial foundation for building wealth and reducing the risk of financial pitfalls that are hard to escape.”
Said Mr. Brad Howard, the Personal Finance teacher at Dunbar.
“I was able to gain skills I never would have known I needed to take proper control of my financial future,” business pathway student Hiba Omari said.
Outside the classroom, Dunbar’s clubs also contribute to building financial awareness. The school’s Distributive Education Clubs of America chapter (DECA), a student organization focused on preparing leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management, offers hands-on experience in real-world business challenges.
Students in Dunbar’s DECA program compete in regional and national events, craft business plans, develop public speaking and analytical skills, and have earned recognition throughout the year by winning regional and state awards and currently competing at the international level in Florida.
Junior Lucas Hsiu is a second-year DECA member and current international competitor in the accounting applications event. He said, “At DECA, I feel like my participation in the financial categories allows me to use a competitive environment to improve essential skills for facing financial decisions in life.”
