Students actively participating in a financial literacy course in Philadelphia high schools.
Starting in the 2026-27 school year, Philadelphia high school students will be required to take financial literacy courses as part of a new initiative to enhance essential financial skills. This move follows a statewide requirement in Pennsylvania aimed at integrating personal finance education into high school curricula. Educator Steven Novosel, who teaches financial literacy at Northeast High School, exemplifies innovative teaching methods that mix math and history to engage students, a pivotal effort as more teens express the need for financial education.
Philadelphia high school students will soon be required to take financial literacy courses starting in the 2026-27 school year, a move aimed at equipping young people with essential financial skills. This initiative follows the recent implementation of a statewide requirement in Pennsylvania that integrates personal finance education into high school curricula, which was signed into law in 2023.
Steven Novosel, a graduate of Shippensburg University and a seasoned educator, is playing a pivotal role in this educational shift. As a secondary math teacher and varsity boys’ basketball coach at Northeast High School, Novosel is actively involved in teaching financial literacy, demonstrating how mathematical concepts intersect with personal finance.
Novosel employs a unique teaching approach that blends algebra with historical insights to help students grasp the complexities of financial literacy. By analyzing the impact of historical events on personal and economic finances, he enhances students’ understanding of how financial decisions can shape their futures. This method not only engages students but also encourages them to think critically about their purchasing habits and financial goals.
Currently, students in Novosel’s financial literacy course are reporting improvements in their spending habits and a greater inclination to open savings accounts. To further apply their knowledge, Novosel encourages students to engage in hands-on activities, such as opening brokerage accounts and making small investments, in addition to exploring relevant books and podcasts.
The demand for comprehensive financial education among high school students is evident. A survey conducted by Intuit indicated that 85% of high schoolers expressed a desire to learn more about financial topics. Novosel’s financial literacy course, which began with just one class, has expanded to four classes this year, reflecting the increasing interest among his students.
The newly mandated financial literacy credits in Pennsylvania can count towards various subjects, including math, social studies, business, or family and consumer sciences. This multifaceted approach aims to provide students with foundational knowledge for informed financial decision-making, rather than producing financial experts. Studies show that financial education can significantly improve outcomes for young individuals, including better credit scores, lower loan delinquency rates, and reduced overdue payments on credit cards.
Novosel’s commitment to financial literacy is deeply rooted in his own experiences. Having grown up with a strong need for budgeting and financial planning due to personal challenges, he recognizes how early financial education could have transformed his own financial decisions. Moreover, his 23 years of service in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard provided him with significant insights into financial responsibility, ultimately helping him finance his education and shaping his financial perspective.
In his classroom, Novosel promotes long-term financial planning through creative projects like vision boards, where students visualize their future financial and personal goals. The curriculum encompasses critical topics such as the psychology of money, saving and investing strategies, credit management, debt management, and self-advocacy in financial matters.
Through his roles as an educator, coach, and veteran, Novosel expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to influence the lives of young students. He credits his time at Shippensburg University with shaping his understanding of mathematics and its application to real-life financial situations. Novosel believes that by fostering financial literacy, he can empower the next generation to make informed choices that will lead to a more stable financial future.
As Philadelphia prepares for the implementation of mandatory financial literacy courses, the integration of personal finance into high school education marks a significant step forward in equipping students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of personal finance and make sound financial decisions throughout their lives.
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