Washington Gov. Gary Locke's has signed into law legislation requiring financial literacy be added to curriculum in the state's schools. The legislation had been backed by the Washington league.
"After years of donating staff and resources to bring financial literacy to Washington schools, our credit unions couldn't be happier that Gov. Locke signed legislation to support the development of financial literacy curriculum in Washington," said Stacey Augustine, Sr. VP-public and policy advocacy with the WCUL. Last year credit unions in Washington state reported giving 177 classroom presentations to over 4,000 students.
SHB 2455 creates a public private partnership teams whose goal will be to identify critical financial literacy skills and knowledge, provide information on instructional materials, and help to provide instructional tools and professional development to school districts that wish to increase the financial literacy of their students. The partnership is composed of up to four members representing the legislature, one from and appointed by OSPI, one from and appointed by the Department of Financial Institutions, up to four from the financial services sector, and four educators. The signing also created an account held in the custody of the state treasurer and seeded it by providing $50,000 in funding.
