Teaching Economics and Personal Finance: Lessons from Washington State’s Course Format Study

SESSION DESCRIPTION

What can economics educators learn from personal finance educational practices? This mixed-methods study, funded by a 2025 Washington State legislative appropriation, compares standalone vs. embedded course formats in Washington middle and high schools. Drawing on data from nearly 1,600 students and 39 educators across 30 schools, the research points to how contact hours, educator preparation, relevant content, and access to supports shape student knowledge, confidence, and engagement. For the economics education community, the findings translate into actionable insights for course design and PD that strengthen everyday decision-making through economic reasoning

PRESENTERS

Dr. Adam Wright is the Director of CEFE and an Associate Professor of Economics at Western Washington University. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and holds an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Arizona State University. A former Teach For America high school math teacher, his research focuses on labor and the economics of education. His work has been published in Economics of Education Review, Economic Inquiry, and Contemporary Economic Policy, and has been featured in The Washington Post, American Public Media Reports, and Wiley’s Research Headlines. He is currently focused on best practices for teaching economic and financial literacy and the long-run effects of economics education.

Kelli Burton, M.Ed. is the Program Specialist at CEFE, where she helps Washington educators bring economics and personal finance to life in K–12 classrooms. A former teacher, she leads professional development workshops, coordinates statewide initiatives like The Stock Market Game and the Washington Economics Symposium, and builds school and district partnerships. Kelli holds a Master’s in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Washington and a B.A. in Psychology from Missouri State University. She is passionate about equity-centered support for educators and students and enjoys rock climbing, travel, hiking, and the arts.