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Board approves financial-literacy graduation competency starting with class of 2030
Summary
The Kennewick School District Board approved a plan to implement a financial-literacy competency graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2030 (current 7th graders). The plan keeps computer competency in place, adjusts course sequencing and calls for a district-wide approach to counselor-facilitated high-school-and-beyond planning.
The Kennewick School District Board of Directors voted to implement a financial-literacy competency graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2030, following a multi-year feasibility and stakeholder engagement process.
What the board approved: under the plan, the district will keep the existing computer-competency graduation requirement and add a financial-literacy competency that students can meet in multiple ways: by completing a 0.5-credit financial-literacy course, by an approved alternative course, or by passing an approved competency assessment. The district plan also calls for a common district-wide scheduling approach and increased counselor-facilitated high-school-and-beyond planning so students and families receive guided help with postsecondary choices.
Timing and transition: computer-applications will remain a full one-credit (two-semester) course for the current 2025–26 cohort; starting in 2026–27, staff proposes a move to a 0.5-credit computer-applications course and to require a 0.5-credit financial-literacy course for the cohort entering ninth grade in 2029 (the class of 2030). Students in earlier cohorts could still take the financial-literacy course voluntarily.
Why the board acted: staff said the district reviewed scheduling options widely used by other districts and found schedule structural changes (for example, moving to a seven-period day or trimesters) are expensive and often revert. Instead, staff recommended using existing flexibility in the state 24-credit framework (competency credit, work-based learning, stamp/world-language proficiency, summer options and elective waivers) and a coordinated district approach to create room for required competencies without changing the six-period day.
Board members emphasized implementation support: trustees asked staff to ensure families and counselors are fully informed about alternatives and credit pathways, and to include parents in counselor-led high-school-and-beyond activities. The board also asked staff to prepare an implementation timeline and to build the competency assessment option.
Formal action: The board approved implementation of the financial-literacy competency requirement beginning with the class of 2030 by roll-call vote.
