FUSD Student Urges Mandatory Middle School Finance Classes as U.S. Savings Rate Stays at 4.4%
Updated
Updated · Tri City Voice · Jun 23
FUSD Student Urges Mandatory Middle School Finance Classes as U.S. Savings Rate Stays at 4.4%
1 articles · Updated · Tri City Voice · Jun 23
Summary
Baidehi Roy, an FUSD student, argues schools should require financial education in middle school rather than waiting until high school to build lasting money habits.
4.4% of disposable income was saved by Americans in 2025, versus 16.3% in Sweden, which Roy cites as evidence that high U.S. incomes are not translating into financial stability.
61% of U.S. adults are uncomfortable discussing bank account balances, according to Bankrate, a taboo Roy says leaves children without the tools to make responsible financial decisions.
California's AB 2927 will require a personal finance course for high school graduation starting with the class of 2031, but Roy says a single late course is insufficient.
K-12 financial instruction, she argues, would reach more students than nonprofits and shape habits earlier, when middle schoolers are forming long-term behaviors.