Georgia high schools get a B+ in personal finance.

The 2017 Report Card on State Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in Highs Schools, finds Georgia was one of only four states to get a B+. Florida, Illinois and West Virginia also received a B+.

Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia all got an A. Utah was the only state to get an A+.

John Pelletier, director of the Champlain College for Financial Literacy, says each state is graded on how well their high schools teach personal finance.

In Georgia, it is required that students take a half year of economics that includes personal finance.

The research shows that students from wealthier communities are much more likely to have access to personal finance education than students in poorer communities.

“The poor should have equal access to personal finance education in high school—it shouldn’t be for just the rich,” he says. “But access is only possible if a state policy requires it.”

He says too many high school graduates do not know how bank accounts work, they do not know how to budget and most don't understand compound interest.

The fact is, lack of financial literacy is not just a personal problem – it is also dangerous for the economic health of our country.