Re “Too many graduation mandates?” (Dec. 4): As a mathematics teacher, I agree with the backers of a proposed state ballot initiative that personal finance needs to be taught in schools because many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, national credit card debt and student loan debt are over $1 trillion each, and local homelessness continues to rise. I also agree with author Dan Walters’ assessment that it is unrealistic to add an additional graduation requirement given current scheduling constraints.
As a solution, I recommend teaching personal finance in mathematics courses. Budgeting, credit cards, student loans, income taxes, mortgages and retirement accounts are not part of the California standards for mathematics. While basic skills need to remain in mathematics courses, personal finance would be more useful to students than many topics in the current standards.
Miles Timpson
San Carlos
