ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Albuquerque Public Schools board voted Wednesday to add personal financial literacy classes to its curriculum.

This comes after New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 171 into law after the legislative session in 2024. That bill adds personal financial literacy as part of the social studies course requirements to graduate from high school. The course will be folded into the economics section of coursework. 

Charlie Bergman has taught personal financial literacy to college students in Santa Fe and high school students in Albuquerque. Bergman said students were very receptive to learning principles, like stocks and bonds, to set them up for success.

“You just have to have the ability to manage your finances. And I’m delighted that statewide, we’re having such a good conversation about it now,” Bergman said. “They love it, and I think they like it because they understand themselves, how important it is to be able to understand money. And I think in unfortunately many cases, in their own families, they hear a lot of stress and confusion and sometimes even anger when their own family members are feeling out of control. So there’s a lot of motivation, and when they’re done, I think they really feel empowered.”

On Wednesday night, the APS board agreed to include one half credit for financial literacy and a half additional credits for electives.

APS is recommending the half credit be a one semester personal financial literacy class. They recommend the other one and a half credits be used for electives revolving around career connected learning. 

Sara Keller heads up Nusenda’s existing dual credit program on personal financial literacy with APS and CNM. Just like Bergman’s class, their program gets conversations started about finances around the dinner table.

“I hope that whatever the school board moves forward with that they work closely with financial institutions and others to figure out ways to incorporate financial education into coursework in a way that feels important and relevant to students and families and what they’re experiencing in the classroom and at home,” said Keller.

APS conducted a survey about this issue last spring. More than 7,000 parents, teachers and community members took part, and it showed a majority thought personal financial literacy is important for high schoolers.

The new requirements will start with the class of 2029 and will not impact current freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors. Those classes will graduate under existing requirements.

APS is the 30th school district in New Mexico with a financial literacy graduation requirement, according to Think New Mexico. Visit this website to see a full list of those districts.