Gianforte pushes for financial literacy, civics classes for students

Gov. Greg Gianforte wants to make financial literacy and civics classes requisites to graduate high school in Montana.

Gianforte unveiled the proposal in a Thursday morning press conference that saw the Republican governor also promote his budget proposal. That fiscal roadmap includes dollars for implementing the proposed half-credit classes, he said.

Financial literacy will help prepare students for life after school, the governor said.

“We want our young people to know how to save for the future and understand personal finance,” Gianforte said.

As for the civics component, fostering an informed citizenry knowledgeable about the workings of government is “critically important,” he said.

While the governor said he believes the Montana Board of Education wields the authority to adopt the policy without a statute change, state legislators are independently looking to bring bills on similar topics to the floor.

Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, listed financial literacy education as a priority prior to the legislative session’s start. Mitchell wrote via email that he still plans to carry a bill addressing financial literacy in high schools across Montana.

There has yet to be a draft release for the requested bill.

As for the governor’s proposal, local educators welcomed the concept.

“I personally would be an advocate for a general math class where kids can learn the basics,” said Flathead County Superintendent Cal Ketchum.

Ketchum also said he would support an option to test out of the course if students do not need it.

According to a presentation done by Carly Urban, an associate professor of economics at Montana State University, for the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) from 2022, financial literacy has positive impacts for graduates. OPI asked Urban to educate its staff and individuals who edit curriculum about the need for financial literacy classes among students and families.

Urban argued that after financial literacy courses are required, delinquency rates fall, credit scores improve and student loan repayment increases. Low-income students benefit the most from the classes.

“When it's not a requirement, there's really no improvement in any of the outcomes,” Urban told the Inter Lake on Thursday. She said there are two ways to make financial literacy a requirement in Montana schools: legislation or an administrative rule through OPI.

In a Jan. 12 letter written to the state Board of Education, Gianforte argued Montana could do better in preparing students for adulthood.

“Our state ranks 29th in terms of guaranteeing students access to personal finance courses, and we should do better by our students to ensure they’re financially literate,” he wrote.

A few schools already include personal finance graduation requirements, like those in Hamilton High School and St. Ignatius High School.

“Montana students deserve the opportunity to start their adult lives with strong financial footing,” Urban wrote in the presentation. Gianforte this week echoed that sentiment, adding that a civics class will help create an informed public in the state.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or at 758-4459.