Enhancing Financial Literacy and Financial Decision Making via School Mathematics Curriculum

In 2015, OECD supported a study that was launched by PISA to assess students’ “financial literacy” and their ability to make financial decisions. Based on the results of this study, the OECD provided some guidance for the education systems at large regarding financial education and helping students to become conscious citizens taking part in their economic life and making appropriate decisions. As well, “Jumpstart” has presented a set of standards regarding mathematical literacy. Considering the importance of financial literacy the present research was conducted in Iran and mathematics textbooks of 90’s solar years (2010’s AC) were analyzed to trace the financial education. The qualitative content analysis was chosen as research method. The review of 1960s and 1970s indicated that financial education” was integrated as part of mathematics curriculum. On the other hand, financial literacy has been considered as a tool to teach numbers and some other related concepts in the 2010s mathematics textbooks. The research is concluded that integrating historical lessons and new international recommendations would be appropriate way of designing literacy education within the mathematics textbooks.