Kentucky integrates financial literacy into existing courses rather than requiring a standalone class. The state has 66 financial literacy standards across 16 topic areas that are embedded within subjects like economics and social studies.

Last updated: March 2026

66 Standards
16 Topic Areas
integrated Mandate Status
K-5, 6-8, 9-12 Grade Levels

Does Kentucky Require Financial Literacy Education?

Yes, through integration. Kentucky requires financial literacy concepts to be taught within existing courses rather than as a standalone class. Kentucky integrates financial literacy standards within social studies, mathematics, and career/technical education curricula rather than requiring a standalone course. Standards focus on personal finance, budgeting, credit, and economic principles aligned with state academic standards.

Mandate Details

Status
integrated
Standalone Course
No
Grade Levels
K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Legislation
HB 342 (2025 Regular Session), codified as KRS 158.1411 (Signed March 24, 2025 (applies to students entering 9th grade on or after July 1, 2025; graduating class of 2029))

Key Agencies

Kentucky Department of Education - Office of Standards, Assessment, and Accountability
Manages instructional materials adoption process and state approval list
Kentucky Department of Education - Procurement
Vendor registration, contract management, and procurement compliance
Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA)
Provides cooperative purchasing programs and district advocacy
Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA)
Supports district procurement practices and policy development
What this means for districts: Teachers need resources that address financial literacy objectives within their existing courses. A standards-aligned supplement can help ensure coverage without requiring schedule changes.

What Are Kentucky's Financial Literacy Standards?

Kentucky has 66 financial literacy standards organized across 16 topic areas. These topics range from Credit & Debt and Employment & Benefits to Retirement Planning, covering the full spectrum of personal finance education.

9 standards
Credit & Debt
9 covered
7 standards
Employment & Benefits
6 covered 1 gap
7 standards
Macroeconomics/Market Context
2 covered 5 gaps
5 standards
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior
5 covered
5 standards
Budgeting & Cash Flow
5 covered
5 standards
Investing
5 covered
5 standards
Insurance & Risk Management
5 covered
4 standards
Identity Theft & Cyber Safety
4 covered
3 standards
Postsecondary Financing
2 covered 1 gap
3 standards
Taxes
3 covered
3 standards
Financial Systems & Regulation
3 covered
2 standards
Earning Income
2 covered
2 standards
Consumer Protection & Fraud
2 covered
2 standards
Banking & Payments
2 covered
2 standards
Saving
2 covered
2 standards
Retirement Planning
2 covered

How Kentucky School Districts Adopt Financial Literacy Curriculum

Kentucky is a state adoption state, meaning curriculum must appear on a state-approved list before districts can purchase it with state funds. Kentucky is a state adoption state where instructional materials must be selected from the state-approved adoption list for core subject areas.

Purchasing Process

Kentucky maintains a state adoption list for K-12 instructional materials in core subjects. Districts must select from approved materials, though some flexibility exists for supplemental resources and elective courses.

Decision Level

The state establishes the adoption list and approval process, but individual districts make final selection decisions from approved vendors and materials. Districts have autonomy in choosing which approved materials to adopt.

Textbook Adoption Cycle

Cycle Length
6 years
Subject Area
Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and other core subjects on rotating schedule

Kentucky operates on a rolling 6-year adoption cycle with different subject areas reviewed in different years. Vendors should contact KDE for current cycle schedule and next subject area review dates.

Cooperative Purchasing Options

Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA) cooperative purchasing Cooperative Educational Services (region-based cooperatives) National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) Education Cooperative purchasing consortiums

Curriculum That Meets Kentucky's Financial Literacy Standards

Districts looking for a standards-aligned financial literacy curriculum can use iKnowFi Academy — a self-paced, online platform built on the Absorb LMS that maps directly to Kentucky's learning objectives. iKnowFi Academy covers 59 of 66 standards (89.4% coverage) across 9 courses.

Kentucky Standards Coverage

89.4%
59 of 66 standards covered 9 courses

Aligned Courses

Borrowing Money

2 modules · 2 standards aligned

Establishing Credit

3 modules · 4 standards aligned

Financial Building Blocks

3 modules · 11 standards aligned

Financial Preparation and Recovery

3 modules · 10 standards aligned

Managing Your Debt

2 modules · 2 standards aligned

Managing Your Money

3 modules · 11 standards aligned

The Importance of Saving

3 modules · 5 standards aligned

Using Credit Cards

1 module · 1 standard aligned

Your Financial Future

3 modules · 13 standards aligned

Kentucky's Financial Literacy Standards & iKnowFi Academy Alignment

All 66 standards — 59 covered by iKnowFi Academy.

Credit & Debt 9/9 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.6 Develop strategies to control and manage credit and debt. 9-12 Managing Your Debt
FL.H.6 Interpret the components of a credit report. 9-12 Establishing Credit
FL.H.6 Investigate ways that credit scores can affect a consumer’s financial options. 9-12 Establishing Credit
FL.H.6 Compare the organizations providing credit counseling services. 9-12 Establishing Credit
FL.H.6 Understand the causes of and implications of bankruptcy. 9-12 Managing Your Debt
FL.H.7 Analyze the costs and benefits of using credit. 9-12 Using Credit Cards
FL.H.7 Discuss the purpose and role of credit and explain the value of building and maintaining a healthy credit rating, including elements of creditworthiness: character, capacity, capital, collateral and conditions. 9-12 Establishing Credit
FL.H.7 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of basic types of credit (e.g. unsecured versus. secured credit, credit cards, installment loans, revolving credit, student loans and predatory lenders). 9-12 Borrowing Money
FL.H.7 Describe the risks, responsibilities and rights associated with using credit (e.g. annual percentage rate (APR), grace period, late fees, finance charges, default rates, interest and closing costs). 9-12 Borrowing Money
Employment & Benefits 6/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.1 Identify the financial impacts of a career choice. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.1 Examine the relationship between personal financial goals and career choice. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.1 Evaluate the correlation between education, training and potential lifetime income. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.4 Analyze components of employment compensation: 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.4 Compare compensation methods including hourly, salary and commission-based packages. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.4 Evaluate benefits packages and retirement plan options and how they add value to your overall compensation. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.4 Recognize that salaries and benefits may be negotiable. 9-12 —
Macroeconomics/Market Context 2/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.17 Explain the functions of money: medium of exchange, unit of measure, and store of value. 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.H.17 Explain how money facilitates trade, borrowing, saving, investing, and comparing the value of goods and services. 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.H.2 Analyze how economic conditions can affect income and career opportunities (e.g. job outlook and cost of living). 9-12 —
FL.H.14 Analyze inflation and its effect on purchasing power. 9-12 —
FL.H.17 Interpret the role and function of money in society: 9-12 —
FL.H.17 Explain that inflation is an increase in the overall price level that reduces the value of money. 9-12 —
FL.H.20 Explain that markets determine prices and allocate scarce goods and services through the forces of supply and demand. 9-12 —
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior 5/5 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.8 Identify why people make financial choices: 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.H.8 Evaluate the role of emotions, attitudes and behavior in making financial decisions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.H.8 Recognize that individuals are responsible for their own financial decisions and for subsequent positive and negative consequences. 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.H.8 Analyze the opportunity costs of short and long-term financial decisions. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.10 Align goals with desired lifestyle expectations. 9-12 Managing Your Money
Budgeting & Cash Flow 5/5 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.10 Identify the components of a personal budgeting process: 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.10 Develop a budget based on calculated income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.10 Identify and prioritize fixed, variable, and periodic expenses. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.10 Emphasize the importance of proactive budget priorities (e.g., pay yourself first, emergency fund, insurance and charitable contributions). 9-12 The Importance of Saving
FL.H.10 Compare tools for tracking of a budget, income and expenditures (e.g., the envelope system, paper tracking and online or software options). 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Investing 5/5 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.14 Calculate compound interest and explain the benefits of investing early. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
FL.H.15 Evaluate investment alternatives: 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.15 Differentiate between insured deposits and uninsured investments. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
FL.H.15 Describe mutual funds, Exchange Traded Funds, stocks and bonds. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.16 Explain the components of a prudent investment strategy compatible with personal financial goals: * Risk versus reward * Risk tolerance * Diversification * Rebalancing 9-12 Your Financial Future
Insurance & Risk Management 5/5 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.21 Explain the role of the government in administering social insurance programs such as unemployment, workers’ compensation, Medicare, Medicaid and Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI), otherwise known as Social Security. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.23 Identify common types of risk management strategies, including insurance, legal contracts, emergency funds and estate planning. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.H.24 Analyze the costs and benefits of using various insurance management strategies. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.H.24 Identify the major types of insurance: * liability * property and casualty (auto, motorcycle, boat, jewelry, etc.) * health/dental/vision * life * homeowners/renters * disability 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.H.24 Explain the tax implications of insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Identity Theft & Cyber Safety 4/4 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.10 Develop a system for maintaining personal financial documents including proper storage and disposal. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.H.25 Identify strategies for protecting personal financial information and resources. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.H.25 Identify ways to avoid identity theft and fraud, such as securing sensitive financial data, using care in online activities and properly disposing of sensitive documents. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.H.25 Describe steps to recover from fraud and identity theft. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Postsecondary Financing 2/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.3 Evaluate the costs of funding sources for post-secondary education and training. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.3 Identify funding sources (e.g. loans, scholarships, grants, work-study, military) to assist in post-secondary education opportunities and applicable costs. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.3 Examine the process for and benefits of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion. 9-12 —
Taxes 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.5 Differentiate between gross, net, and taxable income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.5 Define the purpose of IRS forms (e.g., W-4, I-9, W-2, and 1099). 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.19 Explain how government uses taxation to generate revenue, manage the economy and discourage/encourage certain behaviors. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Financial Systems & Regulation 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.13 Compare various types of financial professionals (e.g., financial planners, counselors, certified public accountants (CPA), investment consultants and insurance agents), their credentials, their compensation methods, selection criteria and possible conflicts of interest. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.18 Identify the role of financial intermediaries in the economy (i.e., facilitates exchange between savers and lenders). 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.H.22 Identify the role of regulatory agencies, e.g.: * Federal Reserve * Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) * National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) * Federal Trade Commission (FTC) * Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) * Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) * Internal Revenue Service (IRS) * State regulatory agencies 9-12 Managing Your Money
Earning Income 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.5 Analyze the factors that determine net income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.H.5 Interpret a paycheck stub. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Consumer Protection & Fraud 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.10 Emphasize the importance of comparison shopping, buying strategies, negotiation, and sales/marketing strategies in purchasing. 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.H.25 Discuss ways to avoid financial scams such as Ponzi schemes and other illegal practices. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Banking & Payments 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.11 Identify the major types of financial institutions and their products (e.g., certificate of deposit (CD), money market, checking/savings accounts) and services. 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.H.12 Demonstrate how to use different payment methods including checks, debit cards and digital services. 9-12 Managing Your Money
Saving 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.14 Examine implications of the time value of money: 9-12 The Importance of Saving
FL.H.14 Examine the opportunity costs of saving versus spending. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
Retirement Planning 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.H.15 Compare traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.H.15 Examine various types of employer-sponsored retirement opportunities. 9-12 Your Financial Future

Kentucky Financial Literacy FAQ

Kentucky integrates financial literacy into existing courses rather than requiring a standalone class.

Kentucky integrates financial literacy standards within social studies, mathematics, and career/technical education curricula rather than requiring a standalone course. Standards focus on personal finance, budgeting, credit, and economic principles aligned with state academic standards.

Kentucky's financial literacy requirement is established by HB 342 (2025 Regular Session), codified as KRS 158.1411. Effective Signed March 24, 2025 (applies to students entering 9th grade on or after July 1, 2025; graduating class of 2029).

Requires all public high school students entering 9th grade on or after July 1, 2025 to successfully complete a one-credit standalone financial literacy course for graduation, covering budgeting, saving and investing, credit and debt, insurance and risk management, and taxes.

Kentucky's financial literacy standards apply to grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12. Standards are integrated into existing coursework.

Kentucky has 66 financial literacy standards spanning 16 topic areas including Credit & Debt, Employment & Benefits, Financial Decision-Making & Behavior, Budgeting & Cash Flow, Investing.

Kentucky's 66 standards are organized across 16 topics: Credit & Debt, Employment & Benefits, Financial Decision-Making & Behavior, Budgeting & Cash Flow, Investing, Insurance & Risk Management, Identity Theft & Cyber Safety, Taxes, Financial Systems & Regulation, Postsecondary Financing, Earning Income, Consumer Protection & Fraud, Banking & Payments, Saving, Retirement Planning, Macroeconomics/Market Context.

Kentucky uses a state adoption process. Districts select from a state-approved vendor list.

Kentucky maintains a state adoption list for K-12 instructional materials in core subjects. Districts must select from approved materials, though some flexibility exists for supplemental resources and elective courses.

iKnowFi Academy covers 59 of Kentucky's 66 financial literacy standards (89% coverage) across 9 self-paced online courses.

Each course is aligned to Kentucky's specific learning objectives, built on the Absorb LMS, and includes built-in assessments. Teachers assign them and students work independently.

Get Your Free Kentucky Standards Alignment Report

See exactly how iKnowFi Academy maps to each of Kentucky's 66 financial literacy standards — standard by standard, module by module.

  • 59 of 66 standards covered
  • 9 self-paced courses, ready to assign
  • Built-in assessments and progress tracking
  • No schedule changes needed — students work independently

Ready to see the full alignment?

Free for Kentucky school districts

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Last updated: March 2026