Natalie So
Growing up, I often witnessed how a lack of financial knowledge could negatively impact people’s lives. This understanding deepened when I began volunteering with the Korean Adoptee Family Foundation (KORAFF), an organization dedicated to empowering Korean adoptee communities through education and advocacy.
It was during my term serving as president of KORAFF that I truly grasped the transformative power of advocacy, no matter what age you are. I once believed that change could only be made from positions of power, but as I helped adoptees grow and flourish, I saw the significant impact that grassroots advocacy can have on making influential changes within society.
These experiences fueled my passion for addressing other systemic issues, such as the educational inequities within my school, where children with disabilities were often neglected due to a lack of funding and resources. Witnessing these challenges led me to passionately support legislation that aims to make financial literacy education a mandatory part of the school curriculum.
An idea supported by legislative education committees
House Bill 1915 was introduced to lawmakers in 2024 and proposed the inclusion of comprehensive financial literacy courses in the school curriculum, ensuring that students graduate with a fundamental understanding of personal finance, budgeting, debt management, and investing. The bill aimed to prepare students for real-world financial decisions, equipping them with skills that can significantly impact their futures. The bill was approved by House and Senate education committees but failed to make it through the session. I urge lawmakers to reconsider HB 1914 during the upcoming 2025 legislative session.
Why financial youth literacy matters to me
At school, I recognized the inequalities that persist in our education system. Just as KORAFF seeks to provide adoptees with the support and advocacy they need to thrive, a financial literacy curriculum would provide all students, regardless of socio-economic background, with the financial tools they need to succeed. By making financial education mandatory, the state would level the playing field and bridge the knowledge gap for all students.
Reflecting on my own educational experiences, I recall how transformative it was to see adoptees in KORAFF grow and flourish through tailored advocacy and support. Just as we engaged these young people through meaningful, real-world applications, a mandatory financial literacy curriculum has the potential to engage students through practical financial education. Students need interactive and practical learning methods to make financial literacy relatable and applicable, helping students understand how to manage their finances effectively.
Advocacy work with KORAFF taught me the importance of culturally relevant support systems. Friends at school who grew up in low-income households found success through programs that understood and addressed the specific challenges faced by our community. Similarly, any mandatory financial education should be made more inclusive by integrating culturally relevant examples and teaching methods, ensuring that all students see themselves reflected in the curriculum.
Long-Term Benefits for Society
A financially literate population contributes to a stable and prosperous society. Just as the advocacy efforts in KORAFF empowered individuals and strengthened communities, the passage of a mandatory financial literacy curriculum bill would represent an investment in our collective future. It would foster a generation of financially responsible and knowledgeable citizens who can navigate economic challenges more effectively, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
House Bill 1915 embodied a vision for a more equitable and financially secure future for all students. My experiences with KORAFF and personal observations at school have shown me the profound impact that education and advocacy can have on individuals and communities.
I believe that supporting and advocating for a mandatory financial literacy curriculum is crucial for ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive financially and contribute positively to their communities. Financial literacy plays a vital role in shaping our society. By working together, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed and make a lasting impact on their communities.
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This article was originally posted on the League of Education Voters (LEV) Blog. LEV is a statewide nonprofit education advocacy ground founded in 2001 to advocate for an “education system that provides every student an equal opportunity for success from cradle to career.” The organization has led the charge on many of the landmark funding and policy decisions aimed at improving Washington’s education system.
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