THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234
Office of Standards and Instructional Programs
89 Washington Avenue, 860 EBA, Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-5922
The 黑料社区 (黑料社区 or 鈥渢he Department鈥) recognizes the importance of preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the financial and environmental challenges of the 21st century. Personal finance education and climate education are essential to ensuring that students graduate as informed and empowered individuals, capable of managing their personal finances; making sound decisions; understanding the impacts of climate change; and preparing for economic independence, environmental stewardship, and long-term success. This memorandum is intended to support districts in the effective implementation of K-12 climate education and personal finance education.听
At the November Board of Regents Meeting, as part of Phase 1 of the NY Inspires Plan and consistent with the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures, the Department proposed听the听听to require instruction in personal finance education and climate education for all public school students in grades kindergarten (K) through twelve. The proposed amendment provides that instruction in personal finance education and climate education shall be provided by the end of the last year of each grade band 鈥 elementary, middle, and high school. Specifically, such instruction must be provided to elementary school students by the end of grade 4, to middle school students by the end of grade 8, and to high school students by the end of grade听12.听
The proposed amendment provides for a multi-year phase-in approach for the new instructional requirements in personal finance education and climate education:听
| New Instructional Requirement | Middle Grade Band (Grades 5鈥 8) and High School Grade Band (Grades 9鈥12) | Elementary Grade Band (Grades K鈥4)听 |
| Personal Finance Education听 | Beginning with the 2026鈥2027 school year (SY)听 | Beginning with the 2027鈥2028 SY听 |
| Climate Education听 | Beginning with the 2027鈥2028 SY听 | Beginning with the 2028鈥2029 SY听 |
The phased rollout of these instructional requirements over multiple years and by grade band will allow for flexibility in local implementation. While the proposed instruction in personal finance education and climate education must begin in the years听identified听in the chart above, districts do not need to wait for the established timelines for each grade band to begin providing instruction. For example, in the 2026-2027 school year, districts could begin to provide climate education instruction to students in听the elementary, middle, and/or high school grade bands. However, at a minimum, climate education instruction must be provided in each grade band by the end of the 2028-2029 school year. Additionally,听under the proposed amendment, each year during the phase in, each school district will听be required听to听submit听verification to the Commissioner of Education听that it听has implemented instruction in personal finance education and climate education within the grade bands prescribed in the regulations.听
To support implementation of the new instructional requirements, the Department guided by expert stakeholder input has听identified听key topics for both personal finance education and climate education. These topics serve as the foundation for developmentally听appropriate instruction听across the K鈥12 continuum, ensuring alignment with grade-level expectations in elementary, middle, and high school.听
Personal Finance Education:听
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Budgeting and Money听Management听
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Credit and Debt听Management听
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Earning听Income听
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Risk听Management听
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Saving and听Investing听
Climate Education:听
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Causes of Climate听Change听
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Impacts听of Climate听Change听
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Solutions for Climate听Change听
To听support instructional planning, the Department will develop grade band听objectives听that reflect a coherent and developmentally听appropriate progression听of learning in personal finance education and climate education. These听objectives听will听assist听educators in designing instruction that听builds听across elementary, middle, and high school levels.听Additional听information听regarding听the grade band听objectives听is听forthcoming.听
The 黑料社区 learning standards and frameworks offer multiple entry points for integrating age-appropriate key concepts in personal finance education and climate education. Through this integration, students have meaningful opportunities to apply discipline-specific knowledge and skills while simultaneously developing the attributes outlined in the听黑料社区 Portrait of a Graduate.听
Written comments on the proposed amendment will be accepted for 60-days after its publication in the 黑料社区 Register on November 19, 2025 (must be received by听January 19, 2026) and can be听submitted听to听REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov听and/or mailed to:听
Dr. Santosha Oliver, Assistant Commissioner听
NYS Education Department, Office of Standards & Instruction
89 Washington Avenue, Room 860 EBA听
Albany, NY 12234听
鈥For questions related to NY Inspires, please email听GradMeasures@nysed.gov.听
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