Harford County Board approves 15-hour financial-literacy plan for high school students

The Board of Education of Harford County on June 29 adopted a resolution directing Harford County Public Schools to plan for a minimum of 15 hours of personal financial literacy instruction for every high school graduate.

Student board member Trey McVicker introduced the measure and said the approach preserves physical-education credits while making financial instruction measurable. “This is a practical, low cost, or cost neutral step that makes a requirement we already have measurable and real for every student,” McVicker said as he read the resolution.

The resolution cites Maryland content standards (COMAR 13A.04.06.01 and related sections) and requires counselors to track each student’s completion using existing information systems. The superintendent must provide the board with progress updates at least every six months and present a completed implementation plan no later than two years after adoption.

Board members debated moving from a previously proposed half-credit requirement to the 15-hour approach after public comment and staff feedback. The board voted to adopt the resolution after a second; the vote was taken by voice and the motion carried.

The resolution states its intent is to strengthen instruction already required under COMAR without creating a standalone graduation credit, eliminating courses, or adding staffing costs. The measure preserves district discretion to satisfy the 15-hour requirement through integration into existing coursework, advisory periods, stand-alone programming or a mix of methods.

The board’s action follows months of public comment and internal review; the resolution directs staff to return periodic updates and assigns the student member to serve as liaison on implementation and reporting.