Bill to Make Financial Literacy a Graduation Requirement Clears House

Delaware House Republicans

Rep. Jeff Hilovsky

June 13, 2025

A bill mandating that high school students receive critical instruction on financial concepts has cleared a significant hurdle, earning unanimous approval in the House on Thursday.

The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard) has been championing the initiative for over two years, building a consensus among community groups, lawmakers, advocacy organizations, school administrators, and others.

Speaking on the House floor before the vote, Rep. Hilovsky said that amid efforts to improve school curricula, financial education was too often overlooked, minimized, or eliminated. He said the consequences are apparent. "Sixty percent of U.S. households live paycheck to paycheck, and 40% of Americans have less than $300 in savings," he said. "One-third of Americans have saved nothing for retirement." He added that financial literacy has been termed the "social justice issue of our time."

While various studies show the majority of teens have an inadequate grasp of economic principles, this lack of essential knowledge is especially prevalent in young Hispanics, Blacks, and Native Americans. “The Equity and Inclusion in Financial Literacy for All High School Students in Delaware Act" would require all public high schools to offer a financial literacy course worth at least one-half credit.

Beginning with students entering 9th grade in the 2026–27 school year, completing the course would be a graduation requirement.

Among the House Republicans sponsoring or co-sponsoring the bill are: State Reps. Rich Collins, Tim Dukes, Kevin Hensley, Valerie Jones Giltner, Charles Postles, Bryan Shupe, Michael Smith, Ron Gray, Danny Short, and Lyndon Yearick. The bipartisan bill is pending action in the Senate Education Committee.