Should voters decide what schools teach?
UC’s Amy Farley featured in Education Week on proposed California ballot measure
In an article in Education Week, University of Cincinnati education expert Amy Farley expresses concern over voter-decided cirriculum. This stems from a proposed ballot measure in California that would require a one-semester, one-credit course on personal finance, including instruction in budgeting, credit and investment.
“We should all be concerned about the precedent of citizen-led initiatives mandating curriculum,” said Farley, an associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies in UC’s School of Education, within the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services.
Farley, who has studied the history of education-related ballot measures, told Education Week that most education questions put to a vote have related to school finance, governance and civil rights issues.
If passed, the finance education ballot measure would require all high schools, including charter schools, to offer a personal-finance course by the 2026-27 school year. Starting in 2029-30, that course would be required for students to graduate. Local school boards could choose their own curriculum to teach concepts, including the dangers of predatory lending, the tax system, establishing credit and retirement accounts.
Read the Education Week article.
Featured image at top iStock/tiero.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
University of Cincinnati college is piloting a program to serve alumni of foster and kinship care
December 12, 2025
In 2025 the Ohio Reach Postsecondary designation was awarded to UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH) as part of the program's third cohort. The program recognizes and supports higher education institutions that have worked to make their campuses welcoming and accessible for students with a history in foster or kinship care. CECH will run a pilot program called Anchor Point aimed at wide-scale implementation across the campus in Fall 2026.
Ohio nurses weigh in on proposed federal loan rule
December 12, 2025
Spectrum News journalist Javari Burnett spoke with UC Dean Alicia Ribar and UC nursing students Megan Romero and Nevaeh Haskins about proposed new federal student loan rules. Romero and Haskins, both seniors, were filmed in the College of Nursing’s Simulation Lab.
Bearcat Mascot, Cheer Team and scholarships help celebrate Decision Day
December 12, 2025
Cincinnati media organization provided news coverage of Decision Day activities at the University of Cincinnati on Dec. 10, 2025. Surprise announcements of the 2026 Marian Spencer Scholarship recipient occurred during the day.