House bill NO. 535

INTRODUCED BY B. Mitchell, J. Hamilton, J. Cohenour, F. Anderson, D. Fern, M. Bertoglio, B. Ler, K. Seekins-Crowe, J. Fuller, P. Flowers, G. Hertz, D. Salomon, J. Ellsworth, K. Bogner, T. Falk, D. Zolnikov, D. Emrich, T. Smith

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING EDUCATION LAWS; establishing a legislative goal for public elementary and secondary schools to support instruction of financial literacy; and amending section 20-1-102, MCA.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 20-1-102, MCA, is amended to read:

"20-1-102. Legislative goals for public elementary and secondary schools. It is the goal of the legislature that Montana's public elementary and secondary school system, in cooperation with parents or guardians, create a learning environment for each student that:

(1)        develops a sound foundation for literacy and numeracy during the early years that is built upon and reinforced throughout the educational experience;

(2)        furthers the ability to reason critically, creatively, and strategically;

(3)        fosters the ability to effectively understand and communicate ideas, knowledge, and thoughts;

(4)        develops a sense of personal and civic responsibility;

(5)        provides an in-depth understanding of the American political, social, and economic systems and the historical context from which they arose;

(6)        provides familiarization with political, social, and economic systems found elsewhere in the world;

(7)        develops a strong work ethic, postsecondary readiness, and employment skills; and

(8)        encourages a healthy lifestyle; and

(9)        supports instruction of financial literacy, where students obtain the knowledge and skills required to succeed financially."