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Committee hears bipartisan support for half‑credit financial literacy requirement, DPI outlines standards work
Summary
Republican and Democratic witnesses, the state treasurer and banking interests supported HB 15‑33 to add a half‑unit of financial literacy to high‑school graduation requirements; DPI said K–12 financial literacy standards are being drafted and districts will need time and resources to implement.
House Bill 15‑33, introduced by Representative Brandy Pyle, would add a half‑unit of financial literacy to high‑school graduation requirements. Representative Pyle told the House Education Committee the addition is part of a "portrait of a graduate" approach and argued financial skills are foundational for life and for the state economy.
State Treasurer Thomas Beadle strongly supported the bill and highlighted existing state efforts: the Bank of North Dakota and the treasurer's office recently launched a SmartWithMyMoney.nd.gov portal and a statewide push to improve financial literacy. Beadle cited national reports that North Dakota's current performance on financial literacy is middling and said a guaranteed half unit would be an effective front‑end investment.
The Bank of North Dakota's Lance Hill and other banking and business witnesses also urged passage. High‑school students and local superintendents described classroom experience and local curriculum models: Legacy High School and Mandan are among districts that already teach half‑credit or embedded financial units, while other districts do not guarantee access.
Advocates for a mandatory standalone half credit included Yanely Espinal of NextGen Personal Finance (virtual testimony). Espinal said HB 15‑33 "as introduced would guarantee that all high school students in the state of North Dakota are taught personal finance for a half credit before crossing the graduation stage" and warned that embedding content in other courses can leave students without full exposure.
Department of Public Instruction assistant director Devon Eldridge provided informational testimony about the department's K–12 financial literacy standards development: DPI convened a writing team, has drafted K–12 standards broken into awareness, money management and risk management, and planned public comment and an anticipated final recommendation to the state superintendent in May 2025. Eldridge said districts typically need a year or more to adopt new standards and that standards‑review work often uses external facilitators and carries material costs.
Several witnesses and committee members discussed whether the half unit should be a standalone course or embedded in economics or other required courses. Superintendent Mike Bitz and others said either approach can work; NextGen and student advocates argued a guaranteed, standalone half unit ensures universal access and higher quality. No committee vote was taken at the hearing.
