New Mexico
Financial literacy coursework added as high school graduation requirement in New Mexico
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 171 into law earlier this month. It adds personal financial literacy as a social studies coursework requirement and lets schools mandate it as a math requirement.
SANTA FE, N.M. — You may remember taking high school algebra, biology, maybe an elective like building trades or culinary arts.
Students these days even take classes on personal financial literacy. Legislation stipulates high schools must have it as an elective.
Now, it’s a high school graduation requirement.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 171 into law earlier this month. It adds personal financial literacy as a social studies coursework requirement and lets schools mandate it as a math requirement.
Charlie Bergman teaches personal financial literacy at St. John’s College in Santa Fe. He launched the course after teaching it to students at Albuquerque Academy.
“They’re psychologically ready for it. They do well, at it, they’re interested,” Bergman said.
The coursework he teaches in a college setting would translate to a high school classroom, with questions like:
“If I’m paying a 25% APR interest rate on a credit card, and I have a carryover debt that I haven’t paid off of $1,000. And I carry that for two years because I’m just not paying it off, how much do I owe?”
Bergman says he likes the new requirements but believes this is just the beginning.
St. John’s College offers $500 in an investment account for anyone who passes the final test in Bergman’s course.
Bergman believes legislators could implement something like that for high school students.
“Take part of the state budget and make an allocation to students who complete a really good financial literacy course as a reward. Then, that money could be managed for them by a trustee for the state for a while, but at some point in adulthood, they get control,” he offered.
Bergman is working with the New Mexico Public Education Department and financial institutions, like Nusenda Credit Union, to offer teacher workshops in the fall.
Read HB 171 below.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Rail Yards Market celebrated the state’s rich indigenous culture and history over the weekend through artistry, food, and craftsmanship. Some of the many attractions included a variety of southwestern jewelry pieces, handmade leather goods, as well as contemporary beadwork and artwork showcasing centuries-old traditions.
The Ry-Dale Largo Dance Group also performed traditional Navajo dancing styles. “I think it’s really important for everybody to get out and mingle and sit next to each other and create art. It really forms a sense of community, and it’s nice to just sit and create with people next to you that just really enjoy doing art,” said Lisa Richards, beading instructor.
Organizers say the Rail Yards Market sits on Tiwa land, emphasizing their pride in uplifting indigenous voices through their vendors and partners.
VALENCIA COUNTY, N.M. – Valencia County Fire Department responded to a serious UTV crash after two people suffered major injuries in the Rio Puerco area.
The Valencia County Fire Department one patient was flown to the hospital with critical injuries. A second patient went by ambulance with serious injuries.
The fire department said this was the second serious ATV or UTV crash its crews handled that day.
Earlier in the day, units responded to an ATV crash that sent two children to the hospital with multiple traumatic injuries.
The fire department urged riders to wear helmets, stay off roadways and make sure children do not operate ATV or UTV vehicles without supervision.
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