Leading state nonprofit encourages education leaders to recognize a rigorous, postsecondary-level course that connects personal finance, business, and real-world readiness

ACEE today announced its endorsement of the Advanced Placement (AP) Business with Personal Finance course, encouraging Arizona education leaders to consider it as a strong model for high-quality financial and business education. The course offers students a rigorous, practical way to build the knowledge and skills they need to make sound financial decisions, understand the modern economy, and prepare for life after high school.

“Students are entering a world where financial decisions are increasingly complex and where many workers will manage income, benefits, taxes, savings, and business expenses in new ways,” said Elena Zee, President and CEO of the Arizona Council on Economic Education. “AP Business with Personal Finance gives students the opportunity to develop those skills through a course with postsecondary-level rigor. We are encouraged that thirteen Arizona public and charter high schools have already piloted this course, and we believe it will be one of the highest in-demand courses across the state.”

Since 1974, ACEE has worked to advance economic and financial literacy education throughout Arizona. The organization supports Arizona’s academic standards in financial literacy as well as the nationally recognized Standards for Personal Financial Education, developed by the Council for Economic Education and the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. These standards define the knowledge and skills students need to make informed financial decisions, including budgeting, saving, credit, investing, risk management, and long-term financial planning.

The full-year course places personal finance concepts within broader business and economic contexts, and aligns with Career and Technical Education, helping students apply what they learn to real-world decisions and career pathways. Because the course connects personal finance with business, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, accounting, and career readiness, it is likely to resonate with students and families who want learning that feels relevant beyond the classroom.

Arizona has an opportunity to build on early momentum and expand access to financial education that is both academically rigorous and immediately useful. By recognizing AP Business with Personal Finance as a strong option for schools within existing programs, education leaders can help more students graduate with the confidence and capability to navigate financial decisions in postsecondary education, careers, families, and communities.

ACEE encourages Arizona education leaders to consider AP Business with Personal Finance as a high-quality pathway for strengthening financial literacy education statewide.

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"AP Business with Personal Finance gives students the opportunity to develop those skills through a course with postsecondary-level rigor."