The Educational Curriculum & Instruction Committee of the North Penn School District on Nov. 1 approved recommended changes to the district's secondary program of studies for the 2026–27 school year, including a new personal finance graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2030.

District curriculum staff said the personal finance course is already offered as a semester elective but will become mandatory for students in the class of 2030 (current eighth graders), to be completed in grade 11 or 12. Staff noted that Pennsylvania's Public School Code has updated academic expectations that prompted the change and that multiple types of certified teachers — including business, family/consumer science, mathematics and social studies teachers — can be trained to teach the course.

Staff emphasized professional development and supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Curriculum presenters said the district is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's economic education division to provide teacher training for the new requirement.

Other approved or announced changes include a dual‑enrollment option for AP Environmental Science through Gwynedd Mercy University (three college credits for $400), alignment of the district's cybersecurity course with the AP Cybersecurity framework to offer college credit and industry credentials, and additions and adjustments in the high‑school art program. The art department will add Graphic Design II (prerequisite: Graphic Design I) and a Unified Art course pairing students with and without disabilities; Ceramics II and III are proposed to be converted from 0.3 to 0.5 semester credits. Staff said they do not anticipate additional staffing for the art changes at this time.

During committee discussion board members praised the expansion of dual‑enrollment — which district staff said has grown from two to 14 course options in recent years — and asked about career/technical pathways and industry certifications for courses such as Graphic Design II. Staff said they would explore certification opportunities and continue aligning courses with postsecondary and industry requirements.

The committee moved, seconded and approved the program changes by voice vote. Members and the student representative also discussed the timing of the personal finance requirement and its intended relevance for juniors and seniors preparing for employment and postsecondary decisions.

The committee did not adopt additional policy language during the meeting; staff said further implementation planning, teacher professional development and scheduling adjustments will take place ahead of the 2026–27 school year.