1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
6providing for capstone course in personal finance as
7graduation requirement.

8The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9hereby enacts as follows:

10Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
11as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
12section to read:

13Section 1551.1. Capstone Course in Personal Finance as
14Graduation Requirement.--(a) The State Board of Education shall
15require every candidate for a full high school diploma after
16September 2014, to receive at least one (1) semester of
17instruction in a stand-alone capstone course relating to
18personal finance at some time during grades eleven (11) or
19twelve (12) of the candidate's educational career.

1(b) In order to fulfill this graduation requirement, school
2districts may choose from several delivery options for offering
3this course, including classroom instruction, which shall be the
4equivalent of one (1) semester or one-half (.5) credit, or as a
5standards-aligned, self-paced online or blended course which
6includes a district-approved, end-of-course assessment.

7(c) Each school entity may utilize educational materials as
8provided for in section 1551 for the purpose of fulfilling this
9graduation requirement.

10(d) The Department of Education shall make available and
11conduct professional development to school districts that
12request assistance in implementing the provisions of this
13section.

14(e) As used this section, "capstone course" means a course
15of study that occurs during grades eleven (11) or twelve (12) of
16a student's high school career that is designed to bring
17reflection and focus to the whole of the student's learning
18throughout the student's years of education on a particular
19subject and that is a comprehensive review of the subject matter
20being considered and in which course the work effectively
21culminates in each student demonstrating a comprehensive
22understanding of the subject matter.

23Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.