Written Testimony in Support of Senate Bill 625 04/2025

Submitted by: Vincent Branch

Educator & Administrator,

Former Financial Services Professional

To the Honorable Chairperson and Members of the Committee:

My name is Vincent Branch. I am an educator and administrator in the Houston Independent School District and a former financial services professional. I am writing to express my strong support for Senate Bill 625, which would make Personal Financial Literacy a graduation requirement for Texas high school students.

Before I entered education, I spent 15 years in the financial services industry. I’ve advised clients on everything from budgeting and debt management to long-term investing and retirement planning. But nothing compares to the impact of teaching financial literacy to students—especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds like the ones I serve in Houston ISD.

In my school, the majority of students face daily economic challenges. Many come from families where financial stress is constant, and where there’s little to no access to financial guidance or tools. And yet, these students are eager to learn. When we surveyed our student body this year about courses they would like to see offered next year, Personal Financial Literacy ranked among the top choices. They are asking for this knowledge. They understand its value. They want to help their families, plan for their futures, and avoid the financial traps that too many fall into.

My own story reflects why this legislation is so vital. I grew up in a working-class home where money was discussed only in terms of bills. Inspired by movies like Wall Street, I became curious about finance at an early age. But I had no access to formal education on the subject in high school or college. My education came the hard way—through credit card debt, student loans, and financial missteps that followed me into adulthood.

That experience fueled my passion for teaching Personal Financial Literacy. I became an educator so that my students wouldn’t have to learn the same lessons the hard way. And the results have been powerful. Former students regularly write to tell me how the course changed their lives—how they helped their parents understand credit, avoided payday loans, started saving early, or even taught their siblings about budgeting. One young woman told me she stopped her family from signing a high-interest loan by reading the fine print. These are not just academic successes—they are generational victories.

Some have raised concerns that this legislation would shift Economics to an elective course. As someone with a degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Economics, I value that subject deeply. But I also understand that Economics and Personal Finance serve different, equally important purposes. Economics teaches students how systems work. Personal Financial Literacy teaches students how to work within those systems. Not every student will study economic theory, but every student will earn a paycheck, manage expenses, and make daily financial decisions.

Texas has the opportunity to lead in preparing our students for real life. Twenty-seven other states have already made this a requirement, including all of our neighboring states— Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. We must not let Texas fall behind.

Senate Bill 625 is not just about curriculum. It’s about equity, empowerment, and opportunity. It’s about giving Texas high school graduates the tools to create a better financial future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

I urge you to vote in favor of SB 625 and make Personal Financial Literacy a required course for all Texas high school students.

Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your dedication to the future of Texas.

Sincerely,

Vincent Branch

Educator & Administrator

vincent@branchoutfinance.com