There is currently no financial literacy specific high school graduation requirement in Massachusetts. However, signed by the governor in January 2019, Chapter 438 (Senate Bill No. 2374) requires that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education establish Financial Literacy standards that “promote an understanding of personal finances,” and schools “may incorporate the personal financial literacy standards… into existing mathematics, social sciences, technology, business or other curricula.” The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released Personal Financial Literacy in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks: Aligned to Key Topics in Chapter 438 of the Acts of 2018, which lists the current standards from the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks that are associated with the specific financial literacy topics addressed in Chapter 438. However, these standards do not adequately cover all grades kindergarten through 12. Massachusetts should update their standards so that there are specific personal finance standards for each grade, K-12. Massachusetts does provide a resource guide aligned to the curriculum framework broken down by grade and availability of professional development.

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In addition, in November 2021, the Office of the Treasurer published a report detailing “what financial education is offered in schools, the barriers educators face in providing these classes, and how we can overcome them.” The report finds that while personal financial literacy education is offered in the majority of high schools, most districts do not require schools to teach any financial literacy instruction. 

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Massachusetts receives a “C” in financial literacy instruction, as it provides some instruction through its financial literacy curriculum framework standards. In order to raise its grade, Massachusetts must create grade-specific standards for each grade or grade band as well as require  a stand-alone personal finance course for high school graduation.