Recently the state of California passed a law requiring that all high school students take a one semester personal finance class to graduate beginning in 2031. The San Mateo Union High School District board met last week and discussed where this class might be placed in the curriculum. One possibility is to replace the current 12th grade economics requirement with personal finance. Econ is now paired with one semester of government. However, this idea would hurt our students. Having a basic knowledge of economics in addition to how our government works makes our graduates better citizens who will be more informed when voting. In addition, econ is now offered as an advanced placement class, which helps higher achieving students be better prepared for college and even earn college credits. Students who wouldn’t choose AP econ would also be forced into a less rigorous class senior year. Is lowering the academic rigor for everyone what SMUHSD wants? Allowing econ as an elective in addition to personal finance is not a solution as many seniors do not have time in their schedules for extra classes.
A better idea would be to replace one of two semester ninth grade classes SMUHSD requires that are not funded by the state: ethnic studies or health. Important health topics could easily be made a part of PE classes. Ethnic studies could be worked into English classes.
Parents of current and future SMUHSD students and community members who are concerned about this potential curriculum change should contact the board.
Great proposal, Ms. Koskella, in replacing less useful classes, such as ethnic studies, with personal finance classes which benefit students, and possibly their parents, for the rest of their lives. Hopefully the one semester class includes subjects such as how to recognize and protect from financial scams. Scams which are more likely to target the folks with the money, their parents and grandparents. The bigger question is whether one semester is enough time.
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Great proposal, Ms. Koskella, in replacing less useful classes, such as ethnic studies, with personal finance classes which benefit students, and possibly their parents, for the rest of their lives. Hopefully the one semester class includes subjects such as how to recognize and protect from financial scams. Scams which are more likely to target the folks with the money, their parents and grandparents. The bigger question is whether one semester is enough time.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.