(1) The task of the financial education public-private partnership is to seek out and determine the best methods of equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need, before they become self-supporting, in order for them to make critical decisions regarding their personal finances. The components of personal financial education shall include the achievement of skills and knowledge necessary to make informed judgments and effective decisions regarding earning, spending, and the management of money and credit.

     (2) In carrying out its task, and to the extent funds are available, the partnership shall:

     (a) Communicate to school districts the financial education standards adopted under RCW 28A.300.462, other important financial education skills and content knowledge, and strategies for expanding the provision and increasing the quality of financial education instruction;

     (b) Review on an ongoing basis financial education curriculum that is available to school districts, including instructional materials and programs and schoolwide programs that include the important financial skills and content knowledge;

     (c) Develop evaluation standards and a procedure for endorsing financial education curriculum that the partnership determines should be recommended for use in school districts;

     (d) Identify assessments and outcome measures that schools and communities may use to determine whether students have met the financial education standards adopted under RCW 28A.300.462;

     (e) Monitor and provide guidance for professional development for educators regarding financial education, including ways that teachers at different grade levels may integrate financial skills and content knowledge into mathematics, social studies, and other course content areas;

     (f) Work with the office of the superintendent of public instruction and the professional educator standards board to create professional development that could lead to a certificate endorsement or other certification of competency in financial education;

     (g) Develop academic guidelines and standards-based protocols for use by classroom volunteers who participate in delivering financial education to students in the public schools; and

     (h) Provide an annual report beginning December 1, 2009, as provided in RCW 28A.300.464, to the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, and the committees of the legislature with oversight over K-12 education and higher education.

[2009 c 443 § 2; 2007 c 459 § 2; 2004 c 247 § 5.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2007 c 459: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 14, 2007]." [2007 c 459 § 5.]

     Findings -- Intent -- 2004 c 247: See note following RCW 28A.300.450.