Andrew Powell
The House Careers and Workforce Subcommittee advanced an education bill Wednesday that would implement curriculum teaching Florida students skills they can use in everyday life.
Tampa Republican Rep. Susan Valdés introduced the measure (HB 1261) and said the idea came from students in her district.
“Members, this bill is also known as the ‘Smart Living Act,’ and back home as you all know, I represent District 54 in Hillsborough County, and ever since my freshman year, I’ve always saved a bill slot for our students to come with their idea of what ought to be a law,” Valdés said. “This is the product of this year’s student bill, what I normally call my kid bill, and these students created this out of Hillsborough Public Schools Jefferson High School.”
Valdés noted that she worked closely with Jefferson High School students while developing the bill.
“This is a direct response to our students’ voices; they’re asking for an education that goes beyond the textbook,” Valdés said. “One that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities they will face in their adult life. I have been working closely with them to develop a curriculum that equips students with essential knowledge for adulthood.”
If enacted, schools would be required to implement learning on financial literacy, including how to balance a checkbook and budgeting skills.
“This bill expands the current financial literacy course that high school students must take to graduate,” Valdés said. “It allows the curriculum to cover practical subjects necessary to transition effectively into adulthood, including simple things like writing and signing checks, as well as balancing a checkbook, understanding personal finance, including budgeting, credit management and loans.”
Valdés noted the bill would ensure that every student graduate with a foundational understanding of financial literacy, money management, how to send emails, and even how to change a tire and perform basic home maintenance.
“Many students are unaware of the financial resources available to them and will miss out on a higher education opportunity simply due to a lack of information,” Valdés said. “That is why my students are so passionate about this bill. It provides every student with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the real world.”
Jefferson High School student Lorena Fernandez spoke before the committee and told members the bill was important to her and her fellow students.
“The focus of our bill is students progressing in life after high school, because we are not taught everything that we need to be sitting in the chairs that you all are now,” Fernandez said. “So, it’s important to us that students be taught everything that they need to be moving forward, not just in their educational path and their career path, but in everyday life.”
St. Cloud Republican Rep. Paula Stark commended Jefferson High School students for their efforts in developing the bill and said it was an inspiration.
“I’m truly inspired, sometimes all we hear is the negative about our students and our children, and that truly is not the case, it’s truly remarkable what they can come up with and how thoughtful they {can be) when they are challenged to do so.”
The committee passed the measure by a vote of 18-0 and it will now go to the PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee.
