Following in the footsteps of other districts around the state, Brevard Public Schools is set to approve Dave Ramsey’s Christian-based financial curriculum for high school students at the board meeting Tuesday.
The course, according to Ramsey’s website, is intended to “help students avoid loans and other money traps and help them to give them a safe future they deserve.” I’m here.
The curriculum is built on an evangelical Christian worldview and how to respect God with your money, but the text was approved in 2023 by the state board of education for use in Florida public schools. I did.
Despite the WUSF report, Pasco County School Board said the textbook was “full of problems” and that it included quotes to approve biblical quotations and back up key points. In 2023, the curriculum was unanimously approved. Ramsey’s website does not say that other districts in Florida use the curriculum. Florida reached out to clarify today, but there was no response.
Brevard’s school board will vote on whether to approve Tuesday at 5:30pm, Tuesday, according to an agenda published on the district’s website. The public can comment before voting.
Who is Dave Ramsey?
Ramsey, founder and CEO of Ramsey Solutions, is a company offering financially undecided services of a biblical worldview, personal finance expert and host of the “The Ramsey Show” podcast. According to his website, he has embarked on breaking out of bankruptcy and millions of dollars of debt, changing the “toxic money culture” and providing a Bible-based financial curriculum for people in all lives.
The legitimacy of his financial advice has been debated for over a decade, with a 2013 Reuters article calling his investment advice “a financial illiterate.” The article adds that his advice is aimed at people who cannot afford to invest in the way he proposes anyway. He offers encouragement to save money, but he’s not good at explaining how to do so, critics said.
What does Ramsey curriculum cover?
“Foundations in Personal Finance” is a high school curriculum that covers topics such as budgeting, savings, debt avoidance, and investment. The curriculum includes textbooks, videos with financial experts and online student activities.
Approved by the Florida Department of Education for the 2023-2024 academic year, as well as its honorary counterparts for personal finance and money management of Florida High School courses.
Is Dave Ramsey’s curriculum approved by the Florida Board of Education?
Ramsey’s book was about a list of Florida Department of Education’s approved materials for the 2023-2024 academic year. The list of approved materials for the 2025-2026 academic year is still finalized.
On the Ramsey website, the “Fundamentals of Personal Finance” and “Fundamentals of Economics and Personal Finance” materials meet the requirements for two different Florida High School courses, with 45% of US schools engaging in foundation curriculum. It claims to be used.
How did Brevard choose Dave Ramsey’s curriculum?
According to the district’s website, recommendations to use Ramsey’s books came from Brevard’s Personal Finance Review team and community members who reviewed the book at Viera Middle School in October. The book may also be displayed online for feedback from September 20th to November 18th, and feedback was shared with the District Review Team.
What does Florida personal financial literacy course teach?
Florida’s Personal Financial Literacy Course is a concept of the American economic system, personal and family management of resources and income, money management, savings and investments, spending and credit, consumer information and taxation, financial planning, financial role, and more. It is designed to introduce students. Institutions, according to the Florida Department of Education.
The Financial Literacy Course Act was enacted, which became a necessary class for high school students from 2023 to 2024, and was signed by the law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
According to the Council on Economic Education, in 2024, 35 states required students to take personal funding courses to graduate from high school.
Can parents choose a different curriculum?
If the school board approves the curriculum at Tuesday’s board meeting, Brevard County residents can challenge their choice within 30 days. Regarding petitions received within this time frame, the school board must hold at least one hearing before “fair and unqualified hearing officers” who cannot become employees of the district, according to their website. There is. Petitioners must be given the opportunity to present issues in the curriculum. The school board’s decision after the hearing is final.
Finchwalker is a Florida education reporter today. Please contact Walker at fwalker@floridatoday.com. X: @_finchwalker.
