To the editor:
The job of a school is to prepare its students as best it can for whatever comes next in their lives. Whether that be continuing school or starting a career, there’s one thing that every student needs to comprehend in order to function well in our society: money. That is why financial literacy classes should be mandatory in order to graduate high school.
Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills to manage your money. It is an incredibly important and relevant topic in our Wellesley community, especially as children grow up and gain independence. However, at Wellesley High School, this is not currently required for graduation.
According to a survey collected from more than 100,000 college students from over 410 colleges, on average, only 2 out of 6 people (about one third) said they were financially literate, and only 15% of people reported they had the education to pay off their student loans in the future. If these people are unable to pay off their student loans, then they likely will fall into other debt traps and struggle to repay loans. This lack of knowledge puts students at risk of getting stuck in a situation where they can lose what they’ve worked for, and on top of that, have a hard time getting back.
Additionally, students who are financially literate are set up for success. In a 2020 study, it was shown that individuals ages 18-21 with more than 3 years of financial education were 40% more likely to not fall behind on credit card payments. Finances are a system, and this demonstrates how those who were taught to understand how the system works are able to keep up with it. Financial success comes from making the most of what you have, and that requires seeing the bigger picture, which this education allows you to do.
Wellesley Public Schools are dedicated to a mission that “prepares its students to be college, career, and life ready, and empowers them to contribute locally and globally.” It is impossible for Wellesley students to be truly prepared for their next chapter in life if they lack financial education. If we want to ensure that our graduates succeed, we need to teach them how to handle money. Therefore, a mandatory financial literacy class would ensure that all students are prepared and educated on managing their finances as they navigate through life.
Overall, financial literacy is a necessary topic that should be a graduation requirement for all students. If you would like to support this issue, you should consider emailing the Wellesley School Committee to inform them of this change we want to see in our schools.
Thank you,
Jack Paye
Wellesley Middle School, 8th grade student
