State Board of Education; adopt content standards for instruction in financial literacy and money management for grades four and five
Summary
House Bill 674 amends Georgia law governing financial literacy instruction in public schools. It requires the State Board of Education to adopt content standards for financial literacy and money management instruction for students in grades four and five by January 1, 2026. The bill also directs each local board of education to provide that instruction beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, and allows schools to incorporate the instruction into an existing course of study.
The measure expands the state’s existing financial literacy curriculum requirements to younger students, making financial education mandatory in grades four and five rather than leaving it solely to local discretion or later grade levels. It does not create a new standalone course requirement, but it does require school systems to ensure the subject is taught and aligned with state standards.
Impact
HB674 would amend O.C.G.A. § 20-2-149.4 by adding a new subsection requiring statewide standards for financial literacy and money management in grades four and five and obligating local school boards to provide instruction beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill affects the State Board of Education, local boards of education, elementary school curricula, and students in grades four and five, while leaving implementation flexibility by permitting the instruction to be embedded in an existing course.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears neutral to supportive. The bill’s purpose is straightforward and educational, and it reflects a policy preference for earlier financial literacy instruction. No opposition, amendments, or recorded controversy are shown in the available context.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or voting history. Potential areas of debate, if raised, would likely concern implementation timing, curriculum requirements, local control for school districts, and whether the mandate adds burdens to elementary schools. However, the available record does not show any named opponents or supporters expressing those concerns.
Public education; screen-based instruction limited in kindergarten through fifth grade, State Board of Education required to adopt standards, Instructional Technology Task Force established
An Act to direct the Board of Education to require health literacy instruction in grades nine and 10 and remove any duplicative or outdated health instruction in the next regularly scheduled revision of the Health Education Standards of Learning.
Urges State Board of Education to require school districts to incorporate financial literary instruction into mathematics and social studies curriculum.