House Bill 1285 is meant to ensure that graduating students have a basic grasp of financial literacy, including things like balancing a household budget and understanding the interest on a loan.

“This has been a topic I’ve been hearing from the public on for a long time and students are asking for it, too,” said bill sponsor Rep. Skyler Rude, R-Walla Walla, in a Thursday interview with The Center Square.

According to an emailed news release, under HB 1285, school districts must provide financial education instruction and ensure students meet state financial literacy standards to graduate.

“As they’re leaving high school, every one of these graduates is going to be making financial decisions, whether it’s continuing education or purchasing their first car and insurance, it’s something they need to understand,” Rude said.

A similar bill was on track for passage during the 2024 legislative session but got derailed.

“Last year, it passed the House unanimously, and it imposed a graduation requirement of half a credit, and that was the challenge because educators were asking how they could fit in another half credit into the existing system,” Rude explained.

He noted that the Washington Board of Education is working through a broader overview of graduation requirements in general, and there was concern about Rude’s bill potentially interfering with that work.

“So, this year, I removed the half-credit requirement,” Rude said. “It maintains the graduation requirement, but doesn’t quantify it, in deference to the work the state board is doing.”

This bill emphasizes flexibility for districts, allowing students to receive financial education through career and technical education courses, online programs, or integration into existing classes like math.