OLYMPIA – Following the final convening of the FutureReady Task Force before the State Board of Education considers a draft proposal for updating high school graduation requirements, Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti issued the following statement:
“For years, I have heard from students, parents, educators, employers, and community leaders across our state that basic financial skills are not optional in today’s economy. Understanding how to budget, save, and use credit responsibly while planning for education, workforce training, and eventually homeownership are essential tools for adulthood.
“The FutureReady Task Force’s recommendation to include financial education as a part of the ‘Personalized Pathway Requirements’ recognizes what families already know: students must be equipped with the skills necessary to navigate the consequential financial decisions that may indefinitely impact their lives.
“This recommendation also builds on Treasury request legislation introduced and led by Senator Adrian Cortes during the 2026 legislative session to require financial education instruction. That effort reflected broad agreement that financial literacy is not a partisan issue — it is a practical necessity for young people entering an increasingly complex economy.
“I want to thank the State Board of Education and FutureReady Task Force for taking this critical step toward making financial education available for all. I am especially grateful to Jesse Johnson, our Director of Outreach and Community Engagement, for his service on the Financial Education and Life Skills Subcommittee to bring our office’s statewide perspective to this effort.
“I look forward to working with the State Board of Education, lawmakers, educators, students, and families during the upcoming legislative session.”