Assessing the Effectiveness of Financial Education Course Formats in Washington State
Strengthening Financial Education in Washington: Artemis Connection Supports Landmark Study
More states are considering personal finance graduation requirements—a vital step toward preparing students for real-world financial decisions. But one question continues to surface: should personal finance be taught as a standalone course or embedded within other subjects?
To help answer this, the Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education (WACEFE) and Western Washington University, with critical support from Artemis Connection, conducted the first statewide study comparing these two approaches.
Over six months, Artemis Connection played a key role in gathering and analyzing data across schools and classrooms. The study’s results offer a roadmap for Washington and other states exploring financial literacy requirements:
Key Findings
- Students in standalone courses scored 5–10% higher on financial knowledge assessments (a gap that closed with equal time and experienced educators).
- Standalone courses sparked stronger engagement, with students reporting +21 points in interest and +20 points in confidence.
- Embedded courses delivered comparable knowledge outcomes with at least 30 hours of instruction from trained educators.
- This study underscores the importance of time, focus, and teacher training in delivering impactful financial education.
- With support from Artemis Connection, Washington now has evidence-based insights that can guide policy and ensure every student is better prepared for their financial future.Read full report here: