At the dawn of a new year, the momentum for guaranteed financial education grows! Whether you're a veteran NGPF community member or brand new, we're honored to join you on the journey toward financial empowerment for all students.

Today, we'd like to introduce you - or perhaps reintroduce you - to NGPF's Mission 2030.

What is Mission 2030?

NGPF works to ensure that, by the year 2030, every U.S. high school student has guaranteed access to at least one semester-long course in personal finance.

Why? Well, because managing money effectively is a skill that will serve all students throughout their lives, and we believe all young people deserve the financial knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a modern economy, regardless of the path they choose after high school.

Why "Guaranteed" Matters

You might be wondering why we use the word “guarantee” instead of “require.” Functionally, they mean the same thing, but there is an important distinction.

The word “requirement” carries an ominous weight in education. It suggests something obligatory added to an already full plate of responsibilities for both students and teachers. The term can sometimes (understandably) evoke resistance, particularly when policymakers, administrators, and educators feel like their autonomy is being encroached upon.

“Guaranteed” shifts the conversation in a more productive direction with stakeholders. When we say every student will be guaranteed to take a personal finance course, we emphasize equal access to this practical and critical life skill. We’re not just adding another box to check; we’re making a promise to students, families, and communities that financial education will be delivered meaningfully and comprehensively. Let's ensure that all students, regardless of their zip code, build financial literacy skills to thrive in their lives.

The Power of a Standalone Course

Some states have implemented policies where personal finance is embedded within other subjects, such as economics or math. While this approach might meet a technical requirement, it often falls short of providing students with a truly comprehensive and rich personal financial literacy education. Research shows that in states with embedded requirements, only 39% of students actually receive any personal finance instruction. That’s not a guarantee—that’s a gap!

A standalone course, on the other hand, dedicates time and resources specifically to personal finance content aligned to academic standards for personal financial literacy, allowing students to explore topics like budgeting, banking, investing, credit, and career planning in depth. This focused approach not only equips students with essential knowledge but also fosters confidence and empowers them to make informed decisions as they step into adulthood. And it works.

May the Mission 2030 force be with you

At the heart of Mission 2030 is YOU, the teacher! You bring this curriculum to life in your classrooms every single day. You promote your class so more students get financial education in your school. You stand up at school board meetings and state legislative hearings calling for this common sense change in the way we prepare the next generation for the real world.

NGPF is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you're here for comprehensive personal finance curriculum, engaging professional development opportunities, or a vibrant educator community you can lean on, you're in the right place!

How you can get involved

There are lots of ways to get involved in Mission 2030. Here are a few steps you can take today:

• Spread the word. Share the importance of guaranteed personal finance education with your colleagues, administrators, and community members. The more people understand the impact of financial education, the stronger our collective voice becomes. Use #Mission2030 on social media.
• Advocate locally. Check out NGPF's advocacy toolkit to get started.
• Keep up to date with the Mission 2030 movement. Stay updated on the latest in financial education policy on NGPF’s LIVE U.S. Dashboard and LIVE Financial Education Bill Tracker. As of now, 30 states representing more than two-thirds of all U.S. public high schoolers have already guaranteed students access to a dedicated personal finance course!

Thank you for advocating,

Christian and the NGPF Team

About the Author

Christian Sherrill

Former teacher, forever financial education nerd. As NGPF's Director of Teacher Success, Christian is laser-focused on helping the heroic teachers who fuel NGPF's mission to guarantee all students a life-changing personal finance course. Having paid down over $40k in student loans in the span of 3 years - while living in the Bay Area on an entry level teacher's salary - he's eager to help the next generation avoid financial pitfalls one semester at a time.