Legislation would require financial literacy class in Alaska high schools

Pointing to high credit card balances, growing student loan debts and inadequate savings for many U.S. households, Anchorage Sen. Bill Wielechowski believes it is important to teach students “to avoid common financial pitfalls and manage their money successfully.”

He has proposed legislation that would require Alaska high schools to teach a financial literacy course. His bill also would require that students complete the course to earn their diploma.

The course would have to cover managing a bank account, setting a budget, credit card debt, insurance, loans, financial fraud and scams, college...