Simpson 1

Emily Simpson
AP Language and Composition
Comment [J1]: Switch these two lines for
correct MLA format

Mrs. Weathersbee
9 December, 2014
Graduation Requirement: Finance Class
We all know how high school is supposed to prepare us to go to college, which means we
will officially be on our own. This means we will have to make our own money and spend it on
whatever we need to live. Although High school does prepare students all over the country for
the academics of college, they should also teach them significant skills that they will definitely

Comment [J2]: students

use no matter what their plans. I believe that in high school it should be mandatory for students
to learn how to manage their money effectively. This will not only be beneficial for college, but
also for future success.
According to a survey by the center of economic and entrepreneurial literacy, "Fifty-four
percent of college student respondents had overdrawn their bank account and eighty-one percent

Comment [J3]: We all know high school is

supposed to prepare us for college. This means
most of us will officially be on our own with the
responsibilities of making our own money and
spending it on whatever we need to live. high
school makes sure students are prepared for the
academics of college, but they should also focus on
teaching students financial skills that they can use
no matter what their plans. I believe that in all high
schools it should be mandatory for students to learn
how to manage their money more effectively.

underestimated the amount of time it would take to pay off a credit card balance by a large
margin." This shows that most college students do not know how to manage their money
properly. Why would this be? Because they most likely were not educated in a finance class
during their 4 years of high school. By lacking the knowledge to budget and save their money,
students can find themselves in financial need.
Currently in the U.S. only four states require students to take a personal finance course to
graduate high school. This means that in the other 46 states, high schoolers only receive financial

Comment [J4]: In deep financial trouble later on

in life.

Simpson 2

education if they choose to sign up. They have no idea how beneficial it is to their future to take
those classes. In fact, research shows that "individuals graduating from high schools in states that
require personal finance education have higher savings rates and net worth as a percentage of

Comment [J5]: Students who are not required

to take finance and choose not to sign up are
missing out on a class that is very beneficial for their
future.

their earnings than individuals graduating from high schools in states where financial education
is not mandated." This statement was made by the department of treasury.
Being a student currently in high school, who also is enrolled in a personal finance class,
I am beginning to realize how important it is to know how to manage money properly. By taking
this class, I have been given the opportunity to experience what it would be like to have a career

Comment [J6]: In fact, in a study made by the

department of treasury, research shows that
individuals graduating from high schools in states
that require personal finance education have higher
savings rates and net worth as a percentage of their
earnings than individuals graduating from high
schools in states where financial education is not
mandated."
Comment [J7]: Being a student currently
enrolled in a high school personal finance course, I
am beginning to realize how important it is to know
how to manage money properly.

with a specific salary, to pay bills and meet their deadlines, as well as depositing savings into
accounts such as a 401K. Not knowing the consequences of problems such as overspending, can
be detrimental and create multiple financial issues. Therefore, all students should absolutely be
taught how to manage their money effectively, so they will be better prepared for their future.

Comment [J8]: Not knowing the consequences

and preventions to financial problems can be
detrimental and can even create more issues
leading you either further in debt or worse into
bankruptcy.
Comment [J9]: Should be required to take
classes teaching them how