How much personal finance does Connecticut require?

At least one-half (0.5) credit in personal financial management and financial literacy. Connecticut's requirement is a standalone course requirement. In practice that means a dedicated class of its own, taken for credit, rather than a few personal finance lessons folded into another subject.

Does Rapunzl's curriculum align to Connecticut standards?

Yes. Rapunzl's modules and real-time investing simulator cover the CEE six pillars, and those pillars crosswalk to the Connecticut strands listed on this page. Students learn by making real decisions with a simulated $10,000 portfolio priced on live market data, and teachers get an educator dashboard with grade export, materials in English and Spanish, and screen-reader accessibility. Request a demo and we'll send the Connecticut standards crosswalk along with classroom access.

Required

Connecticut Personal Finance Standards & Graduation Requirements

Q: Which Connecticut students does the requirement apply to?

The Class of 2027 is the first graduating class that has to meet it, so earlier classes are not held to the requirement. Timeline: Phased; graduation requirement applies to the class of 2027. If you are planning a course now, that timeline is the window to have curriculum in place before Connecticut starts holding students to it.

Connecticut requires at least a half credit in personal financial management to graduate, beginning with the class of 2027.

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Connecticut at a glance

Requirement: Standalone course required
Legislation or authority: Public Act 23-21 (personal financial management / financial literacy graduation requirement)
Passed: Signed by Gov. Lamont, June/July 2023
Takes effect: Phased; graduation requirement applies to the class of 2027
First graduating class affected: Class of 2027
Course length: At least one-half (0.5) credit in personal financial management and financial literacy
State standards: CSDE Financial Literacy Course Kit / Personal Financial Management & Financial Literacy

Read the official Connecticut standards

What Connecticut requires

Public Act 23-21 requires a half credit in personal financial management within the 25 credits Connecticut students need to graduate, starting with the class of 2027.

CSDE published a Financial Literacy Course Kit to help districts design the course rather than build it from scratch.

Last reviewed against official sources on 2026-07-15.

How Rapunzl maps to Connecticut standards

Rapunzl's curriculum is built on the Council for Economic Education's six pillars. Here is how they line up with the Connecticut framework.

Connecticut strand	CEE pillar	Rapunzl modules
Money management & budgeting	Spending	The Basics Of Banking Buying Your First Home Paying For College
Earning, income & taxes	Earning Income	Taxes & Income Careers In Finance
Saving & investing	Investing	Welcome To The Stock Market What Makes A Good Stock?ETFs & Mutual Funds
Credit, borrowing & debt	Managing Credit	The Power & Risks Of Credit How To Make Loans Work For You
Risk management & insurance	Managing Risk	Diversification & Risk Insurance & Retirement
Consumer protection & financial decision-making	Financial Decision-Making	Financial Statistics Top Investor Strategies

Educators can request a full Connecticut standards crosswalk through the Educator Dashboard.

Standards alignment details: how Rapunzl covers Connecticut's personal finance standards

A standard-by-standard look at the Connecticut framework. 71 standards are covered across 18 Rapunzl modules; each links to its lesson so you can preview exactly what students learn.

12-Week Standards-Aligned Course

Connecticut standard	Aligned Rapunzl modules
Week 1: Module 23: Basics of Banking — Week 5: Module 5: What Makes A Good Stock?	The Power & Risks Of Credit
Week 2: Module 27: Budgeting & Spending — Week 6: Module 9: Taxes & Income	Buying Your First Home
Week 3: Module 2: Saving & Compound Growth — Week 7: Module 10: ETFs & Mutual Funds	Paying For College

EARNING INCOME

Connecticut standard	Aligned Rapunzl modules
12-1Compensation for a job or career can be in the form of wages, salaries, commissions, tips, or bonuses, and may also include contributions to employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement savings plans, and education reimbursement programs.	Insurance & Retirement Taxes & Income Paying For College
12-2In addition to wages and paid benefits, employees may also value intangible (noncash) benefits, such as good working conditions, flexible work hours, telecommuting privileges, and career advancement potential.	Taxes & Income
12-3People vary in their opportunity and willingness to incur the present costs of additional training and education in exchange for future benefits, such as earning potential.	Taxes & Income Paying For College
12-4Employers generally pay higher wages or salaries to more educated, skilled, and productive workers than to less educated, skilled, and productive workers.	Taxes & Income Paying For College
12-5Changes in economic conditions, technology, or the labor market can cause changes in income, career opportunities, or employment status.	Taxes & Income The Economy & Federal Reserve
12-6Federal, state, and local taxes fund government-provided goods, services, and transfer payments to individuals. The major types of taxes are income taxes, payroll taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes.	Taxes & Income The Economy & Federal Reserve
12-7The type and amount of taxes people pay depend on their sources of income, amount of income, and amount and type of spending.	Taxes & Income
12-8Interest, dividends, and capital appreciation (gains) are examples of unearned income derived from financial investments. Capital gains are subject to different tax rates than earned income.	What Makes A Good Stock?Taxes & Income
12-9Tax deductions and credits reduce income tax liability.	Taxes & Income
12-10Retirement income typically comes from some combination of continued employment earnings, Social Security, employer sponsored retirement plans, and personal investments.	Insurance & Retirement Taxes & Income
12-11Owning a small business can be a person’s primary career or can supplement income from other sources	Taxes & Income

SPENDING

Connecticut standard	Aligned Rapunzl modules
12-1A budget helps people achieve their financial goals by allocating income to necessary and desired spending, saving, and philanthropy.	Saving Versus Investing Taxes & Income Budgeting & Spending
12-2Consumer decisions are influenced by the price of products or services, the price of alternatives, the consumer’s budget and preferences, and potential impact on the environment, society, and economy	Saving Versus Investing ESG & Social Impact Budgeting & Spending
12-3When purchasing a good that is expected to be used for a long time, consumers consider the product’s durability, maintenance costs, and various product features.	Saving Versus Investing Budgeting & Spending
12-4Consumers may be influenced by how prices of goods and services are advertised, and whether prices are fixed or negotiable.	Saving Versus Investing Budgeting & Spending
12-5Consumers incur costs and realize benefits when searching for information related to the purchase of goods and services.	Saving Versus Investing Budgeting & Spending
12-6Housing decisions depend on individual preferences, circumstances, and costs, and can impact personal satisfaction and financial well-being.	Buying Your First Home
12-7People donate money, items, or time to charitable and nonprofit organizations because they value the services provided by the organization and/or gain satisfaction from giving.	Taxes & Income
12-8Federal and state laws, regulations, and consumer protection agencies (e.g., Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Affairs office, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) can help individuals avoid unsafe products, unfair practices, and marketplace fraud.	The Power & Risks Of Credit The Basics Of Banking Budgeting & Spending
12-9Having an organized system for keeping track of spending, saving, and investing makes it easier to make financial decisions.	Saving Versus Investing Budgeting & Spending

SAVING

Connecticut standard	Aligned Rapunzl modules
12-1Financial institutions offer several types of savings accounts, including regular savings, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit (CDs), that differ in minimum deposits, rates, and deposit insurance coverage.	Saving Versus Investing The Basics Of Banking
12-2Deposit account interest rates and fees vary between financial institutions and depend on market conditions and competition.	Saving Versus Investing The Basics Of Banking
12-3Unless offered by insured financial institutions, mobile payment accounts and cryptocurrency accounts are not federally insured and usually do not pay interest to depositors.	Saving Versus Investing The Basics Of Banking Welcome to Crypto
12-4Inflation can erode the value of savings if the interest rate earned on a savings account is less than the inflation rate.	Saving Versus Investing The Basics Of Banking The Economy & Federal Reserve
12-5Government agencies such as the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and the NCUA, along with their counterparts in state government, supervise and regulate financial institutions to improve financial solvency, legal compliance, and consumer protection.	Saving Versus Investing The Basics Of Banking The Federal Reserve
12-6Tax policies that allow people to save pretax earnings or to reduce or defer taxes on interest earned provide incentives for people to save.	Taxes & Income
12-7Employer defined contribution retirement plans and health savings accounts can provide incentives for employees to save.	Insurance & Retirement
12-8People can reduce the potential for future financial strife with a partner or spouse by sharing personal financial information, goals, and values prior to combining finances.	Saving Versus Investing Budgeting & Spending
12-9There are many strategies that can help people manage psychological, emotional, and external obstacles to saving, including automated savings plans, employer matches, and avoiding personal triggers.	Saving Versus Investing Budgeting & Spending

INVESTING

Connecticut standard	Aligned Rapunzl modules
12-1A person’s investment risk tolerance depends on factors such as personality, financial resources, investment experiences, and life circumstances.	Welcome To The Stock Market What Makes A Good Stock?Diversification & Risk ESG & Social Impact
12-2Investors earn investment returns from price changes and annual cash flows (such as interest, dividends or rent). The nominal annual rate of return is the annual total dollar benefit as a percentage of the beginning price.	Welcome To The Stock Market What Makes A Good Stock?
12-3Investors expect to earn higher rates of return when they invest in riskier assets.	Diversification & Risk
12-4Because inflation reduces purchasing power over time, the real return on a financial asset is lower than its nominal return.	Welcome To The Stock Market Saving Versus Investing The Economy & Federal Reserve
12-5The prices of financial assets change in response to market conditions, interest rates, company performance, new information, and investor demand.	Welcome To The Stock Market What Makes A Good Stock?Diversification & Risk
12-6When making diversification and asset allocation decisions, investors consider their risk tolerance, goals, and investing time horizon.	Welcome To The Stock Market What Makes A Good Stock?Diversification & Risk
12-7Expenses of buying, selling, and holding financial assets decrease the rate of return from an investment.	Welcome To The Stock Market What Makes A Good Stock?Diversification & Risk ETFs & Mutual Funds
12-8Tax rules affect the rate of return on different investments, and can vary by holding period, type of income, and type of account.	Taxes & Income ETFs & Mutual Funds
12-9Common behavioral biases can result in investors making decisions that adversely affect their investment outcomes.	What Makes A Good Stock?
12-10Financial technology can counterbalance negative behavioral factors when making investment decisions.	Saving Versus Investing What Makes A Good Stock?ETFs & Mutual Funds
12-11Many investors buy and sell financial assets through discount brokerage firms that provide inexpensive investment services and advice using financial technology.	Welcome To The Stock Market Saving Versus Investing What Makes A Good Stock?ETFs & Mutual Funds
12-12Federal regulation of financial markets is designed to ensure that investors have access to accurate information about potential investments and are protected from fraud.	What Makes A Good Stock?
12-13Investors often compare the performance of their investments against a benchmark, such as a diversified stock or bond index.	Welcome To The Stock Market What Makes A Good Stock?Diversification & Risk ETFs & Mutual Funds
12-14Criteria for selecting financial professionals for investment advice include licensing, certifications, education, experience, and cost.	Taxes & Income Careers In Finance

MANAGING CREDIT

Connecticut standard	Aligned Rapunzl modules
12-1Borrowers can compare the cost of credit using the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and other terms in the loan or credit card contract.	The Power & Risks Of Credit
12-2Loans that are secured by collateral have lower interest rates than unsecured loans because they are less risky to lenders.	The Power & Risks Of Credit How To Make Loans Work For You Buying Your First Home Buying Your First Vehicle
12-3Monthly mortgage payments vary depending on the amount borrowed, the repayment period, and the interest rate, which can be fixed or adjustable.	Buying Your First Home
12-4Post-secondary education is often financed by students and families/caregivers through a combination of scholarships, grants, student loans, work-study, and savings.	Paying For College
12-5Federal student loans have lower rates and more favorable repayment terms than private student loans, and may be subsidized.	Paying For College
12-6Down payments reduce the amount needed to borrow.	Buying Your First Home Buying Your First Vehicle
12-7Lenders assess creditworthiness of potential borrowers by consulting credit reports compiled by credit bureaus.	The Power & Risks Of Credit How To Make Loans Work For You
12-8A credit score is a numeric rating that assesses a person’s credit risk based on information in their credit report.	The Power & Risks Of Credit
12-9Credit reports and credit scores may be requested and used by entities other than lenders.	The Power & Risks Of Credit
12-10Borrowers who face negative consequences because they are unable to repay their debts may be able to seek debt management assistance.	The Power & Risks Of Credit
12-11In extreme cases, bankruptcy may be an option for people who are unable to repay their debts.	The Power & Risks Of Credit
12-12Consumer credit protection laws govern disclosure of credit terms, discrimination in borrowing, and debt collection practices.	The Power & Risks Of Credit
12-13Alternative financial services, such as payday loans, check cashing services, pawnshops, and instant tax refunds, provide easy access to credit, often at relatively high cost.	The Power & Risks Of Credit How To Make Loans Work For You

MANAGING RISK

Connecticut standard	Aligned Rapunzl modules
12-1People vary with respect to their willingness to accept risk and in how much they are willing to pay for insurance that will allow them to minimize future financial loss.	Diversification & Risk Insurance & Retirement
12-2The decision to buy insurance depends on perceived risk exposure, the price of insurance coverage, and individual characteristics such as risk attitudes, age, occupation, lifestyle, and financial profile.	Insurance & Retirement
12-3Some types of insurance coverage are mandatory.	Insurance & Retirement Buying Your First Home Buying Your First Vehicle
12-4Insurance premiums are lower for people who take actions to reduce the likelihood and/or financial cost of losses and for those who buy policies with larger deductibles or copayments.	Insurance & Retirement
12-5Health insurance provides coverage for medically necessary health care and may also cover some preventive care. It is sometimes offered as an employee benefit with the employer paying some or all of the premium cost.	Insurance & Retirement
12-6Disability insurance replaces income lost when a person is unable to earn their regular income due to injury or illness. In addition to privately purchased policies, some government programs provide disability protection.	Insurance & Retirement
12-7Auto, homeowner’s and renter’s insurance reimburse policyholders for financial losses to their covered property and the costs of legal liability for their damages to other people or property.	Insurance & Retirement
12-8Life insurance provides funds for beneficiaries in the event of an insured person’s death. Policy proceeds are intended to replace the insured’s lost wages and/or to fund their dependents’ future financial needs.	Insurance & Retirement
12-9Unemployment insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare are public insurance programs that protect individuals from economic hardship caused by certain risks.	Insurance & Retirement Taxes & Income
12-10Insurance fraud is a crime that encompasses illegal actions by the buyer (e.g., falsified claims) or seller (e.g., representing non-existent companies) of an insurance contract.	Insurance & Retirement
12-11Online transactions and failure to safeguard personal documents can make consumers vulnerable to privacy infringement, identity theft, and fraud.	The Power & Risks Of Credit Budgeting & Spending
12-12Extended warranties and service contracts are like an insurance policy.	Insurance & Retirement

Standards alignment for Connecticut is provided for planning and is updated annually. Educators can request a formatted Connecticut standards crosswalk through the Educator Dashboard.

Why Connecticut schools choose Rapunzl

Rapunzl pairs a standards-aligned curriculum with a real-time investment simulator, so students learn personal finance by making real decisions with simulated $10,000 portfolios priced on live market data — not by reading about it. The curriculum scales from a three-week unit to a 28-week year-long course, which means it fits whichever shape Connecticut's requirement takes in your district.

100,000+students have completed Rapunzl's curriculum
93%average financial literacy scores on national test over past 5 years, 24% above average
31interactive modules that can be customized into a course progression for your classroom
20+hours of gameplay in 2 interactive mini-games alongside our investment simulator and financial calculators

Teachers get an educator dashboard with grade export and standards crosswalks, English and Spanish materials, screen-reader accessibility, and a free national scholarship competition their students can enter each January.

Connecticut personal finance requirement FAQ

Connecticut requires at least a half credit in personal financial management to graduate, beginning with the class of 2027.

The requirement is set by Public Act 23-21 (personal financial management / financial literacy graduation requirement).

Takes effect: Phased; graduation requirement applies to the class of 2027.

Bring Rapunzl to your Connecticut classroom

Explore the curriculum and real-time simulator free for 30 days. Tell us about your school and we'll send your all-access demo along with the Connecticut standards crosswalk.

Request Demo