Financial Literacy

CTE Financial Literacy

Seattle Public Schools Career and Technical Education is committed to collaborating with other departments to provide students with foundational knowledge required to save, protect, and safely grow their wealth. Below is an overview of the financial literacy for K-12 students in Seattle Public Schools and links to resources for interested educators, administrators, and families.

Elementary School

Child with money packet during celebration

The early bird gets the worm! In elementary school, students start to learn money recognition– identifying different coins, bills, and understanding their values. Basic math including addition, subtraction, and division are taught in the context of counting money. At this age, students need to begin to identify their needs (essentials such as food, clothing, and shelter) versus their wants (a new toy or game) in the context of money. Students also begin to learn the basic principles of saving and how money can grow over time. Below are resources for educators or administrators interested in learning more! For grades K-2, educators may be interested in Sesame Street financial activities.

Financial Beginnings is a volunteer network that provides financial activities and education to elementary age students! Learn more about how to bring their offerings to your classroom, school, or home!

Are you a teacher interested in bringing applied math and money saving activities to your classroom? Check out the Brightchamps blog full of free financial activities suitable for elementary school students.

Middle School

During Middle School as students’ math skills advance, activities involving budgeting and helping students prioritize how to allocate their money for different purposes. Students can begin to conceptualize budgetary constraints and create hierarchies of need to prioritize their spending. Students begin to think about careers, exploring CTE classes in tech, media arts, and more and learning about different ways that people can earn money. Middle School students may also learn about the basic concept of banks and the role they play in keeping money safe. Looking for activities for your middle school student, classroom, or school? See below!

Consumer Jungle is a non-profit whose mission is to “promote and foster wise spending habits, financial discipline, and fiscal knowledge in young adults”. They offer trainings to educators and activities for students in North and Central Washington State.

Seattle Public Schools have a strong partnership with EverFi, which offers training specific to Middle School and High School students. Learn more and access their free curriculum on the EverFi website.

High School

SPS students at DECA International competition

During High School, students begin to understand the current economy in greater depth. They have access to a series of advanced accounting and economics classes and begin to plan for post-secondary life (college, career, apprenticeship, military enlistment). In addition to student loans and simple interest, students should understand credit and advanced budgeting.

Career and Technical Education’s Career Connected Learning Coordinators provide students in Career Connects classes with EverFi financial training and certification.

Students use Naviance to explore scholarships and financially plan for post-secondary education. Students can find colleges and search for local and national scholarships using this tool. Counselors and Community Partners provide FAFSA and WASFA support.