Financial Literacy Act Guidance

Nebraska Revised Statute 79-3001 to 79-3004, otherwise known as the Financial Literacy Act, outlines the requirements for instruction in financial literacy.

• The graduation requirement for the Financial Literacy Act is required for all public schools.
• The class of 2024 (current seniors in public schools must complete a course in personal finance or financial literacy (as defined by Nebraska State Statute 79-3002) or personal finance as a graduation requirement.
• Financial literacy instruction in grades K-8 applies only to public schools and must be included in the instructional programs of elementary and middle schools as appropriate.
• Each school district shall provide a financial literacy status report annually to its local board of education.
• The board shall also adopt measurable academic content standards for financial literacy as part of the social studies standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Financial Literacy Act go into effect?

• The Financial Literacy Act was signed into law on May 26, 2021 and went into effect on August 28, 2021. The requirements, including the high school graduation requirement, begin in the school year 2023-2024. The Act also requires each student to complete at least one five-credit high school course in personal finance or financial literacy prior to graduation before the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This would apply to current high school juniors, or those graduating in 2024.

How does the law define financial literacy and personal finance?

• According to Nebraska State Statute 79-3002, financial literacy is defined as, but is not limited to, “knowledge and skills regarding budget and financial record keeping; banking; taxes; establishing, building, maintaining, and monitoring credit; debt; savings; risk management; insurance; and investment strategies.” Personal finance, however, is not defined by state statute.

Do you have any suggested resources for personal finance?

• The following is a list of recommended instructional material resources for personal finance:
  • Nebraska Council on Economic Education Personal Finance course. This course is available at no cost in Free Teacher Canvas. To access the course materials, visit the following URL: https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/RKF6L4. You will be directed to enroll in the course and create an account if you are a new user or log in with your previous free teacher canvas account credentials. Please direct any questions to Alyse Pflanz, Kearney Director Center for Economic educationEmail: apflanz@unk.eduPhone: (308) 865-8482
  • Council for Economic Education National Standards for Personal Financial Education
  • Next Gen Personal Finance
  • MBA Research Personal Finance Course
  • Nebraska Council for Economic Education
    • Dr. Jennifer Davidson, President, Nebraska Council on Economic Education
      • Email: jdavidson2@unl.edu
      • Phone: (402) 472-2333
    • Dr. Jamie Wagner, Director – Omaha Center, Nebraska Council on Economic Education
      • Email: jfwagner@unomaha.edu
      • Phone: (402) 554-2357

What course(s) count for this requirement?

• Each school district is able to determine which course and/or courses best satisfy their needs to meet the financial literacy/personal finance requirements as long as they satisfy the necessary components found in Nebraska State Statute 79-3002. For additional assistance on what should be included in a financial literacy course, please refer to the following recommended instructional materials:
  • EVERFI Financial Literacy
  • Banzai – Financial and Life Literacy
  • EconEdLink

• Recommended (but not limited to) courses:
  • Personal Finance 033000
  • Wealth Building Fundamentals 033002   
  • Life and Career Readiness 090104 
  • If a course not listed in the Course Code and Clearing Endorsement Manual is used to meet the requirements of the Financial Literacy Act, the appropriate “Other” course code may be used. If “Other” is selected as a course code, school districts may need to provide additional details in the annual financial literacy status report to its school board including, but not limited to, course topics, instructional materials and/or curriculum, student progress and other district determined measures. More information about the annual financial literacy status report can be found in Nebraska State Statute 79-3004.

Who do I contact with questions?

Mary Janssen, Business, Marketing, and Management Career Field Specialist, NDE

Email: mary.janssen@nebraska.gov

Phone: (531) 510-7315