The LAUSD school board gave the go-ahead on Tuesday while stipulating that elements of financial literacy and economic justice be incorporated into the course. As of 2023, only 27% of the state’s high school students attended a school that offered a course in personal finance, the California Department of Education reported. Further south, at Olympian High School in San Diego’s Sweetwater Union High School District, Allison Saiki has been teaching financial algebra for years — and has recently worked to add financial literacy this semester. Middle school can be more specific, and high school should be oriented toward students’ lifetime goals, according to Espinal. LAUSD school board member Kelly Gonez also stressed the importance of extending financial literacy into adult education during Tuesday’s board meeting.