To the editor:
Wellesley is known for its outstanding school system, yet they are missing one key unit from the curriculum—financial literacy. Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively apply various financial skills, including budgeting, investing, saving, and managing debt. These are skills that many students lack when entering adulthood. Without this knowledge, young adults often struggle with real world financial responsibilities and make costly mistakes. By supporting Massachusetts legislative bill H.636, requiring financial literacy courses in public schools, we can ensure every student gains the vital financial skills needed for adulthood.
According to the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center, only 48% of adults in the U.S. are considered financially literate. This low percentage reveals that many adults lack the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions. This highlights the need for stronger financial education, especially through the school system, to better prepare emerging adults for their up-and-coming financial responsibilities.
The Massachusetts legislative bill H.636, introduced in February 2025 would require financial literacy education to be a mandated unit in Massachusetts public schools. The bill also set up funds for these courses for the salary of the teachers and the training of these teachers, as well as the materials needed for the course. The bill specifically targets under-served schools and communities to encourage economic growth in the communities. This bill accompanies house bill H.627 which aims to strengthen financial literacy throughout Massachusetts. So far bill H.636 has passed unanimously in the house, but has yet to pass in the Senate.
If we continue to not educate our future generations on financial literacy, we are essentially setting them up for failure. When an individual is not financially literate, they are more prone to make unwise decisions with their assets, which can lead to costly mistakes and more added stress to their daily lives. However, by teaching financial skills, the costly mistakes can be eliminated as well as the distress caused by lack of understanding, leading to rates of financially literate citizens to skyrocket.
After years of struggles and costly mistakes, it is time for change, time for us to better prepare young adults for their financial future. If you want to help our future generations to thrive as adults vote, yes for bill H.636.
Sincerely, members of WMS Civics Action Project
Madison Santoro
Le’a Charmaraman-Lau
Juliette Wright
Chloe Pastore
Payton Dimarino
