Thinking about where to start when it comes to implementing the personal finance course guaranteed through Nebraska Bill 452?

Look no further than Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF). With more than 70,000 teachers using NGPF curriculum and more than 15,000 participating in NGPF professional development, NGPF has become the trusted partner to ensure a successful implementation of this course in Nebraska. 

Details about the bill: Great news that the new legislation will guarantee all students will complete a 1/2 unit financial literacy course prior to graduation! Details on Nebraska Legislative Bill 452 as it pertains to financial education: 

"Beginning with school year 2023-24, each school district, in consultation with the State Department of Education, shall include financial literacy instruction, as appropriate, in the instructional program of its elementary and middle schools and require each student to complete at least one five-credit high school course in personal finance or financial literacy prior to graduation."

Why is this important? As of October 2022, Nebraska is one of 15 states that now are in the process of implementing or have implemented this guaranteed one semester personal finance course.

Research has found that financial education has many beneficial impacts including: 

• Manage credit better with credit scores going up and delinquency rates falling. 
• Make better decisions about student loans including shifting to low interest loans from high, and you don’t rack up credit card debt, and you don’t use private loans, which are  more expensive.”
• Reduces likelihood of taking out expensive payday loans.
• Increased savings from teachers and positive spillover effects with parents too! 

How can teachers prepare to teach this course? 

• Teachers can participate in NGPF PD and earn NGPF Academy hours through: 
• Certification Courses: Build your confidence in challenging content areas by investing only 2 hours per week; 11 different courses available, including Consumer Skills, Investing and Insurance
• On-Demand: Work at your own pace and on your own schedule with NGPF On-Demand with more than 40 one-hour modules available. 
• Live Virtual PD: Find resources you can use immediately with your students, collaborate with educators or attend a speaker series event every Thursday; five live events held weekly. 

• Review NGPF Curriculum
• Used by more than 770 Nebraska teachers 
• NGPF's turnkey Semester Course, recently updated in the summer of 2022, makes lesson planning a cinch with each lesson including:  
  • Discussion prompts
  • Engaging activities and Arcade games
  • Exit tickets
• Already have a curriculum you enjoy? Check out these bite-size resources that will engage your students:
  • FinCap Friday: weekly current events video + quiz with 3 million plays to date
  • Arcade Games: More than 7 million game plays annually with 10 games currently available! 
  • Questions of the Day: More than 700 bell ringers to choose from

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 

What are the standards that will be taught in the course? 

Per the text of the bill: "For purposes of the Financial Literacy Act, financial literacy includes, but is not limited to, knowledge and skills regarding budget and financial record keeping; banking; taxes; establishing, building, maintaining, and monitoring credit; debt; savings; risk management; insurance; and investment strategies."

Also, "The board shall also adopt measurable academic content standards for financial literacy as part of the social studies standards."

When does this guaranteed course take effect?

Per guidance from Nebraska Department of Education: "The class of 2024 (current sophomores in public schools must complete a course in personal finance or financial literacy (as defined by Nebraska State Statute 79-3002) or personal finance as a graduation requirement.."

Research has found that this course is best taught in the 11th or 12th grade when students are closer to major life decisions including life after high school, opening a bank account, obtaining a part-time job and starting to drive a car, to name just a few. 

My district leaders are interested in learning more about implementation strategies. Do you have any tips? 

Dr. Carly Urban from Montana State University interviewed states that have been through the experience of implementing this course at scale. Her findings have been delivered in this report, Best Practices Implementing Financial Education in High Schools. 

What guidance has the Nebraska Department of Education provided on the implementation of this course? 

The Nebraska Department of Education has created this webpage to assist teachers and district leaders with the implementation on this course guarantee. 

Is NGPF PD approved in the state of Nebraska? 

As of October 2022, more than 100 Nebraska teachers have completed 2965 hours of NGPF professional development. 

Are there schools in our state already guaranteeing a personal finance course? 
The Got Finance? map provides insights on how hundreds of schools in your state are currently providing access to financial education. The Gold Standard schools are already guaranteeing that every high school student takes a one semester personal finance and may be useful thought partners as you implement at your school.

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.