Students across New York from K-12 will now be required to learn climate theory as part two of changing educational requirements across the state.
‘Portrait of a Graduate’ was unveiled last year and completed in July 2025. It removed Regent’s tests from the graduation requirement making way for softer skills such as cultural competency to be used as measures of educational attainment. Phase two of these educational shifts, called ‘NYS Inspires Plan’, requires mandatory personal finance and climate theory education.
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young, Jr. said, “Every student in New York deserves a meaningful education that prepares them not only for college and career, but for life.”
To date, there is no indication that the state will provide any funding to school districts to meet this mandate.
Climate theory will cover causes of climate change, impacts of climate change, and solutions for climate change.
Personal Finance Education will include budgeting and money management, credit and debt management, earning income, and saving and investing.
“Financial Education is the preventative measure that eliminates the mistakes of the past and breaks the generational cycle of money mismanagement,” said Dr. Carly Urban, a Professor of Economics at Montana State University.
Districts will have flexibility in local implementation. Instruction in climate education and personal finance can be provided through embedded instruction into existing subject areas or as a stand-alone course.
Personal finance education begins in the 2026 to 2027 school year for students in grades 5-12. It will start for K-4 in the 2027 to 2028 school year. Climate education starts in 2027/2028 for students after fifth grade and in 2028/2029 for students below fifth grade.
The State maintains that providing instruction in personal finance and climate education will ensure that students graduate capable of managing their personal finances and making sound decisions