MO SB1778

Requires all Missouri high school students to complete one-half unit of credit in personal finance after grade nine to receive a diploma, effective 2027-28 school year

Mandates curriculum covering 10 topics: earning income, budgeting, saving, banking, credit and loans, credit cards, investing and retirement, fraud prevention, taxes, and understanding contracts for major purchases like housing and automobiles

Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to convene a work group including educators (at least 25% of members), banking, investment, insurance, student loan, and retirement planning industry representatives to develop academic standards

Requires academic performance standards to be reviewed every seven years to reflect current economic trends and best practices

Allows districts to waive the requirement for out-of-state transfer students who completed similar coursework, and permits ninth graders to take the course early with counselor recommendation