San Diego Teen Lucas Schalch Pushes Finance Education at 16 as California Mandates Courses by 2027-2028
Updated
Updated · NBC San Diego · May 27
San Diego Teen Lucas Schalch Pushes Finance Education at 16 as California Mandates Courses by 2027-2028
1 articles · Updated · NBC San Diego · May 27
Lucas Schalch, a 16-year-old San Diego student, is promoting early investing and financial literacy through his high school finance club, a TEDx talk and countywide student workshops.
Starting with $50 at age 12 using his parents’ consent, Schalch says trading apps, fractional shares and mobile platforms have made investing accessible to teens years before they can open accounts alone.
He argues Gen Z is turning to finance earlier because inflation, housing costs and future debt feel more immediate, while warning peers to research independently instead of blindly following social media or YouTube tips.
California has already approved a rule requiring all public and charter high schools to offer a standalone personal finance course by the 2027-2028 school year, covering budgeting, taxes, credit, saving and investing.
How will millions of teen investors, driven by financial anxiety, reshape the future of the stock market?
As teens flock to trading apps, are we creating savvy investors or a new generation of gamblers?
With finance classes now mandatory, what key lesson will determine a student's real-world financial success?
California’s New Financial Literacy Mandate: Inside the 2026 High School Curriculum Overhaul and the Grassroots Movement Behind It
Overview
California is taking major steps to improve financial literacy among high school students by passing Assembly Bill 2927, which establishes a statewide mandate for a dedicated, one-semester personal finance course. With the law signed and curriculum finalization underway, California becomes the 26th state to require this stand-alone class, ensuring students receive focused instruction on essential financial skills. This move highlights the importance of preparing students for real-world financial decisions and reflects a growing recognition that personal finance education deserves its own place in the high school curriculum, rather than being integrated into other subjects.