Pennwood to add state-mandated financial-literacy course; district readies parents and students for new credit and dual‑enrollment options

Pennwood school leaders told the William Penn SD board that Pennsylvania’s new financial‑literacy requirement will become a graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2028 and will be taught as a semester course worth 0.5 credit.

"The financial literacy ... is going to be a state mandated requirement to graduate. It is worth half of a credit, and it is a semester course," Principal Chicano said during the January meeting. School staff said they will include the course in next year’s course-selection guide and explain options to parents during a district information night.

The district is also changing its schedule framework: moving from a six‑course to a seven‑course model and maintaining the ninth‑grade academy block schedule, which increases opportunities to earn credits. Chicano said the minimum credits required to graduate will rise from 24 for the current class of 2026 to 26 for the class of 2027 and beyond.

To help students meet both the new credit and assessment requirements, the district plans several supports. Principal Chicano and AP Brown said counselors and department chairs will staff parent information sessions; the district will offer ACCUPLACER practice materials so prescreened students can prepare for college‑placement testing; and the ninth‑grade academy will be coordinated with dual‑enrollment options.

AP Brown described the district’s current dual‑enrollment activity: "We have 44 students who are enrolled in dual enrollment. 32 are in the Pathways program ... and we have 12 students in open enrollment." She said 144 students have been prescreened for potential dual‑enrollment eligibility and the district is expanding partnerships, including a co‑op opportunity at a Chester water facility where students toured and may access dual‑enrollment or training pathways.

Board members asked about teacher certification for the new financial‑literacy course. Chicano said math teachers will carry much of the initial load because the course historically sat in that department, but staff clarified that business and social‑studies certifications also qualify and the course will likely require teachers across departments. Mr. Dunn noted that specific teacher rostering is not complete: "Given that we haven't started rostering a class yet, we don't know which teachers will be teaching it specifically," and said the district will provide professional development and curriculum writing once instructors are identified.

Members also raised barriers that may limit student participation in dual enrollment: work schedules, travel time, athletics and student anxiety about college courses. AP Brown said the district is factoring those constraints into counseling so students can take courses in fall, spring or summer terms and not feel overwhelmed.

Next steps: the district will hold a parent night in February that aligns with course selection, provide ACCUPLACER placement and guidance in board communications next week, and staff will return with more detailed rostering and program schedules as decisions are made.