State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Recognized for Advocacy of Personal Finance Education

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent Tony Thurmond was recognized today with the Personal Finance Education Champion award from Next Gen Personal Finance for his advocacy to make personal finance education available to all California high school students. Superintendent Thurmond co-sponsored Assembly Bill (AB) 2927 (McCarty) , which became law in 2024, making California the 26th state in the nation to require personal finance as a high school graduation requirement.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to learn how to manage their money and make informed financial decisions,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “Personal finance education gives our young people practical skills they can use throughout their lives. I am honored by this recognition and proud of our work to make personal financial education a reality for every California student. We are giving students the tools to build a strong financial future for themselves and their families.”

The passage of AB 2927 marked the culmination of a two-year effort by Superintendent Thurmond to bring personal finance education to all students across California. Research shows that students who take personal finance courses have better financial outcomes in adulthood, including lower credit card debt, higher credit scores, and fewer payment delinquencies.

By the 2027–28 school year, all California high schools, including charter schools, must offer a standalone, one-semester course in personal finance, as detailed in the California Department of Education (CDE) May 8, 2026, news release. Completion of the course will become a statewide graduation requirement beginning with the graduating class of the 2030–31 school year.

More information about financial education is available on the CDE Financial Literacy web page.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100