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Does financial education impact school attainment? Experimental evidence from Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Daniele Chiavenato
  • Ricardo A. Madeira
  • Vitor Vaccaro

Abstract

Can an applied mathematics curriculum enhance student intrinsic motivation and improve math achievement? We tackle this question through a randomized control trial of a program that integrates financial education into the mathematics curriculum in Brazil. Spanning 190 public schools and over 15,000 students, our study reveals that the program significantly boosts students’ interest in mathematics and enhances financial literacy and math performance, particularly among students from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds. Initially, the program strengthens these students’ internal locus of control and broad interest in mathematics during the first year. By the second year’s conclusion, it positively impacts their financial literacy, math proficiency, and specific socio-emotional skills crucial for the labor market. However, we do not observe significant changes in self-reported financial behaviors or attitudes as measured by a financial autonomy index.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniele Chiavenato & Ricardo A. Madeira & Vitor Vaccaro, 2024. "Does financial education impact school attainment? Experimental evidence from Brazil," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp666, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:unl:unlfep:wp666
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial education; School attainment; Socio-emotional skills; Youth; Randomized controlled trials;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G53 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Financial Literacy
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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