Louisiana High Schoolers Now Required to Take Financial Literacy Course

Louisiana High Schoolers Required to Take Financial Literacy Course Before Graduation

In a groundbreaking move, high school students across Louisiana are now required to take a financial literacy course before they graduate. This new requirement, signed into law by former Governor John Bell Edwards, aims to better prepare students for managing their finances in the real world.

At East Ascension High School, teacher Lisa Hoppenstedt is leading the charge in educating students on topics such as banking, credit cards, credit scores, taxes, insurance, and more. Hoppenstedt, who has been teaching financial literacy for five years, believes that this course will have a lasting impact on students’ financial security.

“It’s just real-life stuff,” said Hoppenstedt. “So many people have poor credit scores because no one taught them this information. I have a finance degree myself and never learned these topics in any of my finance classes, so it sets them on the right path.”

The requirement will start with students who are set to graduate in 2026, ensuring that future generations of Louisiana residents are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions. This initiative makes Louisiana the 22nd state in the country to mandate financial literacy education for high school students.

Hoppenstedt is excited about the change and believes that offering this course to all students, not just those in the Jumpstart program, is a step in the right direction. She emphasized the importance of preparing students for the real world and expressed her hope that the course will help improve students’ credit scores and overall financial well-being.

As Louisiana high schoolers dive into the world of financial literacy, educators like Hoppenstedt are confident that this new requirement will have a positive impact on students’ futures.
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