FL H0367

Revises Next Generation Sunshine State Standards to require financial literacy instruction as an integral part of the economics course, covering topics including earning income, credit, budgeting, debt management, banking, taxes, fraud prevention, and identity theft protection.

Department of Education must work with nonprofit organizations with proven expertise to develop standards and curriculum for financial literacy instruction.

Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year, a separate one-half credit course in financial literacy becomes a required component of high school graduation requirements, increasing total social studies credits from 3 to 3.5 credits.

Corresponding adjustment reduces elective requirements from 8 credits to 7.5 credits for students entering grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year to accommodate the new financial literacy requirement.

Instructional personnel without certification in social studies, economics, business, or marketing must complete a minimum of 14 hours of professional development in financial literacy before teaching a high school financial literacy course.

Effective date: July 1, 2014.