Press Releases

LAKEWOOD – Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) today announced her introduction of a bill to expand financial literacy resources for high school students.  The bipartisan Promoting Financial Literacy in Secondary Schools Act, which Pettersen introduced with Congressman David Valadao (R-CA), would give high schools access to voluntary, expert-developed resources that teach students how to budget, manage credit, and avoid costly debt. According to Junior Achievement USA, in 2024, 68% of teens in Colorado want a financial literacy class, but only 31% reported having access to those resources.

“I know how hard it can be to navigate our financial system, especially for people like me who were the first in their family to graduate from high school and college. Too many young people enter adulthood without anyone ever teaching them how to build credit, manage a budget, or protect themselves from financial decisions that can follow them for years,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “Every one of our students should have access to the resources they need to make informed financial decisions, regardless of their path after high school. I’m so proud to join Congressman Valadao to introduce this common-sense, bipartisan bill that will help high schools better prepare our young people to achieve financial security, avoid costly mistakes, and set them up for success.” 

“Filing taxes, managing a budget, building savings, and understanding credit are all important life skills, yet too many students graduate high school without the financial knowledge they need to make informed decisions,” said Congressman David Valadao.“Instead of trying to navigate a complicated financial system on their own, students should have a strong foundation in financial literacy. The bipartisan Promoting Financial Literacy in Secondary School Act would give students these critical tools before they graduate and help prepare the next generation for success—whether they choose to attend college, pursue a trade, or enter the workforce."

Specifically, this legislation would create a voluntary program for high schools and require the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) to include these schools when creating their best practices for students about budgeting, financial securities, credit, evaluating financial products, and student loan borrowing.

The FLEC is an office within the U.S. Department of the Treasury that is tasked with creating best practices for teaching financial literacy. Currently, FLEC only creates guidance for institutions of higher education. As more students continue to seek alternatives to college, they are therefore currently missing out on these foundational financial literacy programs. 

Congresswoman Pettersen serves on the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees agencies that deal with the banking, credit card, insurance, and housing sectors. She has consistently pushed for financial transparency for working families, and has championed legislation such as the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act and the Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act as part of her broader effort to provide families and communities with the financial tools they need to succeed.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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