SR44

WHEREAS, financial literacy is a critical skill for ensuring personal and societal financial stability; and

WHEREAS, many students graduate without essential knowledge of financial literacy, including budgeting, saving, investing, or managing credit; and

WHEREAS, without a foundation in financial literacy skills, students will be ill equipped to achieve financial independence; and

WHEREAS, financial literacy empowers students to effectively manage a budget, which allows students to make informed decisions about spending and saving with the State's high cost of living; and

WHEREAS, ensuring students are equipped with financial literacy knowledge and skills will allow graduates to become globally competitive and locally committed; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Education is requested to develop and implement a statewide financial literacy curricula plan for public high school students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to review and determine into which courses to integrate personal financial literacy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, all public high schools are requested to offer a standalone course in financial literacy as a requirement for graduation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the curriculum is requested to include:

(1) Basic budgeting and financial planning;

(2) Saving, investing, and retirement planning;

(3) Credit management, including credit scoring and debt management;

(4) Taxes and tax planning;

(5) Loans and interest, including mortgages, car loans, and student loans;

(6) Fraud prevention and identity theft; and

(7) Economic principles and entrepreneurship; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that schools are requested to fully integrate financial literacy topics into existing coursework, including Personal Transition Plans, utilizing the Department of Education's financial literacy curriculum; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to provide professional development opportunities for teachers, including:

(1) Workshops, summer programs, and online resources;

(2) Approved training from national and state-level financial education organizations;

(3) Transition support, including phased training schedules to ensure teachers are prepared to implement financial literacy curriculum during the 2026-2027 school year; and

(4) Pilot programs in select schools during the 2025-2026 school year to test and refine the financial literacy curriculum; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to collaborate with public agencies, private organizations, and nonprofit organizations to:

(1) Develop interactive and engaging teaching materials; and

(2) Provide online tools and curriculum guides; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to:

(1) By December 31, 2025, finalize curriculum guidelines and professional development plans and publish an implementation plan for schools;

(2) Establish a dedicated position within the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design to oversee the implementation of financial literacy programs;

(3) Ensure consistency and quality in the curriculum through a review process every three years; and

(4) Solicit feedback from educators, students, and financial experts to refine and improve the financial literacy curriculum; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education is requested to:

(1) Adopt administrative rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, necessary to implement financial literacy curriculum; and

(2) Publish approved financial literacy resources and curriculum standards on its official website; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, all public high schools are requested to:

(1) Implement a financial literacy graduation requirement; and

(2) Establish a dedicated transition support team to provide on-site assistance during the first year of implementation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DOE; BOE; Financial Literacy; Curricula Plan; Public High Schools

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	44
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII