Erie schools pick personal-finance materials to meet Act 35 requirement for class of 2027

Rick Schneider (supervisor for secondary content) and teacher John Boyco told the board that Act 35 (2024) requires every high-school student to complete a minimum half-credit personal-finance course by graduation beginning with the class of 2027. The district already offers a half-credit personal-finance course and a full-credit financial-mathematics course; the team recommended specific curricula to ensure alignment and teacher supports.

For a stand-alone half-credit personal-finance course the district recommends Ramsey Education's Foundations of Personal Finance; John Boyco cited the course's national reach, teacher support, and positive pre/post testing outcomes reported by the vendor. For an algebra-linked financial-mathematics pathway the district recommended Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF), which integrates algebra concepts and student-centered, scenario-based activities.

Schneider and Boyco highlighted planned teacher professional development, partnerships with local banks and financial planners for classroom facilitation and student opportunities, and credit equivalency options (financial mathematics can satisfy NCAA eligibility in some cases). Implementation planning will ensure students can meet the requirement between grades 9 and 12 and allow flexibility for students with special circumstances.