Tennessee requires financial literacy education for public school students, with mandates effective since 2016. The state has 23 financial literacy standards spanning 9 topic areas, covering grades 6-8, 9-12.
Last updated: March 2026
Does Tennessee Require Financial Literacy Education?
Yes. Tennessee requires financial literacy instruction for public school students. Tennessee requires financial literacy education as part of the social studies curriculum. Standards include personal finance, banking, credit, and investment concepts integrated across grade levels.
Mandate Details
- Status
- required
- Effective Year
- 2016
- Standalone Course
- No
- Grade Levels
- 6-8, 9-12
Key Agencies
What Are Tennessee's Financial Literacy Standards?
Tennessee has 23 financial literacy standards organized across 9 topic areas. These topics range from Education & Career Planning and Saving & Investing to Insurance & Risk Management, covering the full spectrum of personal finance education.
How Tennessee School Districts Adopt Financial Literacy Curriculum
Tennessee is a state adoption state, meaning curriculum must appear on a state-approved list before districts can purchase it with state funds. Tennessee is a state adoption state where the state maintains an approved list of instructional materials. However, districts retain some autonomy in final selection within approved categories.
Purchasing Process
Tennessee uses a state adoption list model where materials are vetted and approved at the state level through the Department of Education. Districts then select from approved lists, with some materials also available through open purchasing.
Decision Level
The state establishes approved adoption lists and sets standards, but individual districts make final purchasing decisions from approved materials. Some subject areas allow district-level procurement outside the adoption process.
Textbook Adoption Cycle
6 years
2030
Multiple subject areas on rotating cycles including ELA, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Financial Literacy
Tennessee operates on a rotating adoption cycle with different subject areas reviewed every 6 years. Financial literacy standards were updated and integrated into social studies frameworks. Districts may adopt materials outside the state list for supplemental or specialized purposes.
Cooperative Purchasing Options
Curriculum That Meets Tennessee'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 Tennessee's learning objectives. iKnowFi Academy covers 19 of 23 standards (82.6% coverage) across 8 courses.
Tennessee Standards Coverage
82.6%Aligned Courses
Borrowing Money
Financial Building Blocks
Financial Preparation and Recovery
Managing Your Debt
Managing Your Money
The Importance of Saving
Using Credit Cards
Your Financial Future
Tennessee's Financial Literacy Standards & iKnowFi Academy Alignment
All 23 standards — 19 covered by iKnowFi Academy.
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Interpret factors affecting income. | 9-12 | Financial Building Blocks |
| 1.0 | Analyze employer benefits packages. | 9-12 | — |
| 5.0 | Participate in co-curricular student organization activities that enhance personal finance skills. | 9-12 | — |
| 5.0 | Practice leadership, citizenship and teamwork skills when developing and implementing collaborative projects. | 9-12 | — |
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | Identify reasons for saving and investing. | 9-12 | The Importance of Saving |
| 4.0 | Evaluate methods of saving. | 9-12 | The Importance of Saving |
| 4.0 | Evaluate methods of investing. | 9-12 | Your Financial Future |
| 4.0 | Appraise other aspects of saving and investing. | 9-12 | Your Financial Future |
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | Apply a decision making process to personal financial choices. | 9-12 | Managing Your Money |
| 2.0 | Design a current personal financial plan. | 9-12 | Financial Building Blocks |
| 1.0 | Demonstrate an understanding of inflation and its effect on purchasing power. | 9-12 | — |
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | Analyze consumer debt management. | 9-12 | Managing Your Debt |
| 3.0 | Examine various forms of credit payment. | 9-12 | Using Credit Cards |
| 3.0 | Compare and contrast various types of loans. | 9-12 | Borrowing Money |
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Examine the components of paying taxes. | 9-12 | Financial Preparation and Recovery |
| 1.0 | Analyze the costs and benefits of paying taxes. | 9-12 | Financial Preparation and Recovery |
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | Create a realistic household budget that includes short-term and long-term components. | 9-12 | Financial Building Blocks |
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | Understand banking procedures and services. | 9-12 | Managing Your Money |
| 4.0 | Identify regulatory agencies and their functions. | 9-12 | Managing Your Money |
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of consumer finance. | 9-12 | Managing Your Money |
| 3.0 | Demonstrate awareness of consumer protection and information. | 9-12 | Financial Preparation and Recovery |
| ID | Standard | Grade | iKnowFi Academy Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | Analyze personal risk management (insurance). | 9-12 | Financial Preparation and Recovery |
Tennessee Financial Literacy FAQ
Yes. Tennessee requires financial literacy instruction, effective since 2016.
Tennessee requires financial literacy education as part of the social studies curriculum. Standards include personal finance, banking, credit, and investment concepts integrated across grade levels.
Tennessee's financial literacy requirements are established by Public Chapter 1097 (HB 3334/SB 3234) - Financial Literacy Program Act of 2010, codified at TCA 49-6-1701 through 49-6-1709 and Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-03-.06 (State Board of Education Graduation Requirements Rule).
Beginning with the graduating class of 2013, requires all Tennessee high school students to complete a half-credit (0.5) course in Personal Finance as a graduation requirement; also created the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission to promote financial education statewide. SBE rule implementing the half-credit Personal Finance graduation requirement; allows substitution of three years of JROTC for the half-credit Personal Finance requirement if the JROTC instructor attends Personal Finance training.
Tennessee's financial literacy standards apply to grades 6-8, 9-12. Standards are integrated into existing coursework.
Tennessee has 23 financial literacy standards spanning 9 topic areas including Saving & Investing, Credit & Debt Management, Income & Taxes, Financial Planning & Goal Setting, Budgeting & Money Management.
Tennessee's 23 standards are organized across 9 topics: Saving & Investing, Credit & Debt Management, Income & Taxes, Financial Planning & Goal Setting, Budgeting & Money Management, Banking & Financial Services, Consumer Skills & Protection, Education & Career Planning, Insurance & Risk Management.
Tennessee uses a state adoption process. Districts select from a state-approved vendor list.
Tennessee uses a state adoption list model where materials are vetted and approved at the state level through the Department of Education. Districts then select from approved lists, with some materials also available through open purchasing.
iKnowFi Academy covers 19 of Tennessee's 23 financial literacy standards (83% coverage) across 8 self-paced online courses.
Each course is aligned to Tennessee's specific learning objectives, built on the Absorb LMS, and includes built-in assessments. Teachers assign them and students work independently.
Tennessee's next curriculum review is scheduled for 2030 on a 6-year cycle.
Tennessee operates on a rotating adoption cycle with different subject areas reviewed every 6 years. Financial literacy standards were updated and integrated into social studies frameworks. Districts may adopt materials outside the state list for supplemental or specialized purposes.
Get Your Free Tennessee Standards Alignment Report
See exactly how iKnowFi Academy maps to each of Tennessee's 23 financial literacy standards — standard by standard, module by module.
- 19 of 23 standards covered
- 8 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?
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