The Growing Movement for Financial Education in American Schools Financial education has become a pressing priority in the United States. Da...

The Growing Movement for Financial Education in American Schools

Financial education has become a pressing priority in the United States. Data from the National Endowment for Financial Education show that 29 states now require high school students to complete a personal finance course before graduation, (18) __________. When these policies are fully implemented by 2031, about 73% of American students will receive formal financial literacy instruction—a dramatic change from a few years ago, (19) __________.

This push is driven by troubling indicators of money management. Roughly 65% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and (20) __________. Studies also suggest that students who take a semester-long personal finance class are far more likely to feel prepared to handle real-world finances.

The benefits extend beyond individual families. States with comprehensive programs report better outcomes for young adults, including higher credit scores, lower credit-card delinquency, and increased participation in retirement plans—signs that early instruction can shape lifelong habits. By budgeting, saving, and investing responsibly, (21) __________.

Still, implementation remains uneven. Teacher training and curriculum quality vary widely, and many schools struggle to find qualified instructors. Some states (22) __________, which may reduce depth and effectiveness.

[Adapted from National Endowment for Financial Education]

Question 18: 

A. which reflect a growing nationwide commitment to financial education

B. having reflected a growing nationwide commitment to financial education

C. reflecting a growing nationwide commitment to financial education

D. what is certainly seen as a growing nationwide commitment to financial education

Question 19: 

A. having only a handful of states with such mandates back then

B. although such mandates were restricted to a few states recently

C. when only a handful of states had such mandates in place

D. until the mandates were only for a handful of states recently

Question 20: 

A. a $1,000 emergency expense is what fewer than half could pay in full

B. fewer than half say they could pay a $1,000 emergency expense from savings

C. the emergency expense of $1,000 to be paid by fewer than half right away

D. resulting in fewer than half to pay for a $1,000 emergency easily at all

Question 21: 

A. social services may ease the pressure caused by graduates who are financially confident

B. financially confident graduates are easing the pressure that social services have felt

C. pressure on social services is likely to ease because graduates gain financial confidence

D. financially confident graduates help ease pressure on social services over time

Question 22: 

A. integrated financial literacy into other subjects rather than specialized ones

B. embed financial literacy in economics courses instead of standalone classes

C. whose inclusion of money management in larger programs is lacking focus

D. can integrate such essential skills into broader curricula to save time