The high school I attended, in Rio Rancho, NM., offers a course called Financial Algebra, which allows students to learn how taxes, loans and anything finance-related works.
This course is not required, but it should be because these are things everyone eventually needs to understand, especially by the time you reach college. Anything regarding finance should be a general requirement for every high school district in the United States to prepare students for being autonomous with their money.
Many high school students would probably choose to opt out of taking financial courses if they aren’t required because they may not yet realize the importance of obtaining this type of knowledge.
An abundance of students on campus without this knowledge wish it was offered in high school, such as Colorado Mesa University senior Dorian Williams, who attended Elkins High School in Texas.
“I definitely think that the criteria can help,” Williams said. “I don’t even know how to do my own taxes.”
For Grand Junction High School, as well as all of District 51, financial literacy is offered for students as a course, which teaches basics such as how to balance their check books.
It does not teach anything regarding taxes, which I deem to be one of the most important things missing from most schools.
Once you are an adult getting ready to continue with life after high school, there is a lot that gets thrown at you for which you may not be prepared. To have finance under your belt makes that transition a little bit easier for students.
Christine Raquados, a CMU senior who attended Aiea High School in Hawaii, explained she did learn about finance, but it wasn’t emphasized as much.
“I think I did, at one point maybe during my senior year or my junior year,” Raquados said. “But it wasn’t really stressed.”
Taking a financial course in high school was beneficial for me. It gave me at least a basic understanding of where my money is going, and how I should keep track of it. However, having parents who were more than willing to help teach me about finances on top of this course gave me some extra help.
Once students are getting ready to attend college, they may need to look into applying for loans, getting jobs and renting out places to live. These are all real situations that students should potentially be prepared for.
Everyone can benefit from the requirement of financial classes before college. It definitely wouldn’t hurt; there are plenty of courses I was required to take in high school that I have not, and will not use in my life. Financial Algebra is not one of those courses.
