New York Personal Finance Standards & Graduation Requirements
New York's personal finance instruction requirement, adopted by the Board of Regents and permanently effective March 25, 2026, phases in beginning in SY2026-2027 — first fully affecting the Class of 2030.
New York at a glance
- Requirement
- Required — takes effect soon
- Legislation or authority
- Board of Regents amendment to §100.2(c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education (new paragraphs (13)-(14)); no PF-specific statute enacted
- Passed
- Regents initial action Nov. 4, 2025; permanent regulatory adoption March 2026
- Takes effect
- Regulation permanently effective March 25, 2026; instruction phases in by grade band — grades 5-8 and 9-12 begin SY2026-2027, grades K-4 begin SY2027-2028
- First graduating class affected
- Class of 2030
- State standards
- Personal Finance Education Learning Objectives (New York State Education Department, March 2026)
What New York requires
New York's binding change comes through regulation rather than statute: the Board of Regents amended §100.2(c) of the Commissioner's Regulations to require that personal finance instruction reach every student by the end of grades 4, 8, and 12. NYSED describes it as an instructional requirement, not a specific credit or diploma requirement, and districts choose how to deliver it — embedded in existing courses, as a standalone course, or through Career and Technical Education.
The requirement phases in by grade band starting in SY2026-2027, making students who enter 9th grade that year (the Class of 2030) the first cohort required to complete the full mandate. Today's graduates still face only the long-standing half-credit Economics course. The operative high-school framework is NYSED's Personal Finance Education Learning Objectives (March 2026), built around five topic areas.
Last reviewed against official sources on 2026-07-15.
How Rapunzl maps to New York standards
Rapunzl's curriculum is built on the Council for Economic Education's six pillars. Here is how they line up with the New York framework.
| New York strand | CEE pillar | Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting and money management | Spending | The Basics Of BankingBuying Your First HomePaying For College |
| Credit and debt management | Managing Credit | The Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For You |
| Earning income | Earning Income | Taxes & IncomeCareers In Finance |
| Risk management | Managing Risk | Diversification & RiskInsurance & Retirement |
| Saving and investing | Saving | Saving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of Banking |
Educators can request a full New York standards crosswalk through the Educator Dashboard.
Standards alignment details: how Rapunzl covers New York's personal finance standards
A standard-by-standard look at the New York framework. 94 standards are covered across 13 Rapunzl modules; each links to its lesson so you can preview exactly what students learn.
Earning Income
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Explore job and career options and initiate a career plan | Taxes & Income |
| Compare the income potential of jobs included in their career plans | Taxes & Income |
| Analyze factors that affect gross and net income | Taxes & Income |
| Explain basic information found on pay stubs | Taxes & Income |
| Analyze systems for recording income and documenting expenditures | Saving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of Banking |
| Understand that national and global economic factors that may impact personal income | Taxes & Income |
Saving, Investing & Sharing
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Describe the purpose of saving money as it applies to their future goals | Saving Versus Investing |
| Define "investing" and explain how saving and investing are related | Welcome To The Stock MarketSaving Versus Investing |
| Explore different savings and investment tools and methods | Welcome To The Stock MarketSaving Versus Investing |
| Compare various types of financial institutions and savings options available at each | Welcome To The Stock MarketSaving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of Banking |
| Investigate opportunities for sharing money through donations to charities | Taxes & Income |
| Apply decision-making skills to saving, investing, and donating decisions | Welcome To The Stock MarketSaving Versus InvestingTaxes & Income |
Protecting & Insuring
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Identify various types of financial risk | Diversification & RiskInsurance & Retirement |
| Understand and explain resources available to protect individuals from the loss of income or assets | Saving Versus InvestingDiversification & RiskInsurance & RetirementTaxes & Income |
| Describe ways to protect identity from theft | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
| Demonstrate personal development of basic financial planning skills through practice of these skills in a variety of classroom applications | Welcome To The Stock MarketSaving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
Buying Goods & Services
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Define the term "consumer" and describe the role of the consumer in the economy | The Basics Of BankingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Distinguish between needs, wants, values, and goals and tell how each impacts spending and savings decisions | Saving Versus Investing |
| Develop a spending and savings plan (budget) based on income and expenses | Saving Versus Investing |
| Explain the features of checking accounts and the roles of checking accounts in budgeting and consumer purchasing | Saving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of Banking |
| Explain the influence of peers, advertising, technology, and the economy on consumer decisions | Saving Versus InvestingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Apply a decision-making model to maximize consumer satisfaction when purchasing goods and services | Saving Versus Investing |
| Compare local, national, and global resources for obtaining goods and services | Saving Versus Investing |
| Analyze consumer rights, responsibilities, and protections provided by local, state, federal, and global laws and policies | Saving Versus Investing |
| Demonstrate personal development of consumer skills through practice of these skills in a variety of classroom applications | Welcome To The Stock MarketSaving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For YouWhat Makes A Good Stock? |
Payment Options & Credit
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Explore and compare various payment options | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of CreditThe Basics Of Banking |
| Define the terms "credit" and "debt" | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
| Examine factors that affect the choice to use credit, the costs and benefits of using credit, and the personal and legal responsibilities of using credit | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
| Compare the credit options available from different types of lending institutions | The Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For YouThe Basics Of Banking |
| Examine the components of a credit report and summarize a borrower's rights and responsibilities related to credit reports | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
| Understand and explain the basics of the "credit score" and the effects of consumer behaviors on their personal credit scores | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
| Describe strategies for avoiding and for correcting debt management problems | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
Careers In Financial Services
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Investigate knowledge, skills, and practices needed for a career in the financial and/or consumer services fields | Careers In Finance |
| Analyze career paths within the financial and/or consumer services industries | Taxes & IncomeCareers In Finance |
| Evaluate personal skills, abilities, and interests for employment in the financial and/or consumer sciences fields | Careers In Finance |
Economics Decisions In Our Lives 12.E1a
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| People have personal economic goals and make economic decisions | Taxes & IncomeSaving Versus InvestingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Economic decisions (opportunities, resources (income and wealth), preferences, and ethics) | Taxes & IncomeSaving Versus InvestingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Impact of national economic goals on individuals | The Economy & Federal ReserveTaxes & Income |
| Roles of individual (consumer, saver, investor, producer, earner, borrower, lender, taxpayer, and recipient of government services) | Taxes & IncomeSaving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of BankingHow To Make Loans Work For YouThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
Finance and Personal Finance 12.E1b
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Definition of money (characteristics and functions) | Saving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of Banking |
| Definition of finance (money management) | Careers In Finance |
| Personal financial goals and strategies | Saving Versus Investing |
| Opportunity cost, trade offs | Saving Versus Investing |
| Strategies to achieve long-term goals | Saving Versus Investing |
| Budgeting | Saving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of Banking |
| Personal savings and investing | Welcome To The Stock MarketSaving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of Banking |
| Personal considerations (risk tolerance, values, age, family situation) | Diversification & Risk |
| Return on investment | Welcome To The Stock MarketWhat Makes A Good Stock? |
| Managing risk through diversification | Diversification & Risk |
| Liquidity | Welcome To The Stock MarketWhat Makes A Good Stock?Diversification & Risk |
| Influence of advertising | Saving Versus Investing |
| Personal taxes (W2, W4 and 1099 forms, filing status, deductions, exemptions) | Taxes & Income |
| Personal insurance (health, life, motor vehicle) | Insurance & Retirement |
| Legal documents (wills, estate plans, prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, marriage licenses) | Insurance & Retirement |
| Retirement funds (IRA, Roth IRA, 409K Plan) | Insurance & Retirement |
| Equity | Welcome To The Stock Market |
| Debt (public and private) | How To Make Loans Work For You |
| Roles markets play in directing funds | Welcome To The Stock MarketETFs & Mutual FundsThe Basics Of Banking |
| Types of markets: equity, debt, stock, bond, and commodity | Welcome To The Stock MarketHow To Make Loans Work For YouETFs & Mutual Funds |
| Effects of current events on domestic and global markets | Taxes & IncomeThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Risk | Diversification & Risk |
| Role of banks in the financial system and importance to consumers (savings accounts, checking accounts, loans, certificates of deposit) | The Basics Of BankingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Kinds of banks and other deposit taking institutions (commercial, savings, investment) | The Basics Of Banking |
| Banks and businesses | The Basics Of Banking |
| Banks and the consumer | The Basics Of Banking |
| Regulating the financial services industry | Saving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of BankingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Federal Reserve | The Federal Reserve |
| State banking and insurance Commissions | The Basics Of BankingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| F.D.I.C. | Saving Versus InvestingThe Basics Of Banking |
Interest & Credit 12.E1c
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Interest rates (costs, measuring, APRs, short- and long-term rates) | Welcome To The Stock MarketSaving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For You |
| Effects of raising and lowering rates | The Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Compounding and the rule of 72 | Saving Versus Investing |
| Interest rate spread | The Basics Of BankingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Nominal and real returns | Saving Versus InvestingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Forms of credit (loans, credit cards, mortgage, commercial paper, treasury notes, bills, bonds) | The Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For YouBuying Your First HomeThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Benefits and costs of credit | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
| Credit and the consumer (personal credit reports and ratings, responsible use of credit, rights with creditors) | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
| Short-term vs - long-term credit | The Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For You |
| Problems with credit and unsecured credit | The Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For You |
| Credit score (calculations, consequences, relationship to borrowing rates) | The Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For You |
| Credit cards (APR, grace period, hidden fees, credit card criteria, reward cards, department store cards) | The Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For You |
| The impact of personal debt | The Power & Risks Of CreditHow To Make Loans Work For You |
| Predatory lending | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
| Types Of Bankruptcy | The Power & Risks Of Credit |
Inflation 12.E1d
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| Individuals in the global economy | Saving Versus InvestingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Inflation and international currencies | Saving Versus InvestingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
| Value fluctuation relative to the United States dollar | Saving Versus InvestingThe Economy & Federal Reserve |
Grades 7-8
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| CY.1- Determine the types of personal information and digital resources that an individual may have access to that needs to be protected | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
| CY.2- Describe physical, digital, and behavioral safeguards that can be employed in different situations. | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
| CY.5- Describe actions to be taken before and after an application or device reports a security problem or performs unexpectedly | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
| DL.6- Explain the connection between the persistence of data on the Internet, personal online identity, and personal privacy. | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
Grades 9-12
| New York standard | Aligned Rapunzl modules |
|---|---|
| CY.1- Determine the types of personal and organizational information and digital resources that an individual may have access to that needs to be protected. | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
| CY.2- Describe physical, digital, and behavioral safeguards that can be employed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of information. | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
| DL.7- Design and implement strategies that support safety and security of digital information, personal identity, property, and physical and mental health when operating in the digital world. | Saving Versus InvestingThe Power & Risks Of Credit |
Standards alignment for New York is provided for planning and is updated annually. Educators can request a formatted New York standards crosswalk through the Educator Dashboard.
Why New York 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 New York'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.
New York personal finance requirement FAQ
New York's personal finance instruction requirement, adopted by the Board of Regents and permanently effective March 25, 2026, phases in beginning in SY2026-2027 — first fully affecting the Class of 2030.
The requirement is set by Board of Regents amendment to §100.2(c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education (new paragraphs (13)-(14)); no PF-specific statute enacted.
Takes effect: Regulation permanently effective March 25, 2026; instruction phases in by grade band — grades 5-8 and 9-12 begin SY2026-2027, grades K-4 begin SY2027-2028.
The Class of 2030 is the first graduating class that has to meet it, so earlier classes are not held to the requirement.
Timeline: Regulation permanently effective March 25, 2026; instruction phases in by grade band — grades 5-8 and 9-12 begin SY2026-2027, grades K-4 begin SY2027-2028.
If you are planning a course now, that timeline is the window to have curriculum in place before New York starts holding students to it.
Personal Finance Education Learning Objectives (New York State Education Department, March 2026).
Rapunzl's curriculum is built on the Council for Economic Education's six pillars: Earning Income, Spending, Saving, Investing, Managing Credit, and Managing Risk. Those pillars map to every strand in the framework, which is why the same course can satisfy standards that are worded differently from one state to the next.
Yes. Rapunzl's modules and real-time investing simulator cover the CEE six pillars, and those pillars crosswalk to the New York 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 New York standards crosswalk along with classroom access.
Bring Rapunzl to your New York 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 New York standards crosswalk.
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