The board recognizes the value of helping students understand the importance of financial education. Financial education includes knowledge and skills related to spending and saving, managing credit and debt, using a career plan to understand income potential, setting and working toward personal financial goals, and applying decision making to matters of personal finance. When students develop their financial education, they are better prepared for successful post-secondary pathways and careers. The district encourages students and their families to take advantage of any financial education learning opportunities available to them through independent activities and programs. 
 
The district will encourage students to learn financial education effectively at a high level of proficiency. The district also recognizes the importance of allowing students to learn at their own pace, and the educational benefits that can be gained by giving students the opportunity to demonstrate competency of skills, proficiency of standards, and mastery of concepts. 
 
As described in the procedures, the district will award financial education credits to students based on demonstrated mastery/proficiency across a range of financial education skills.
 
To ensure cultural responsiveness and equity in awarding mastery-based credit, the district will collect and annually review disaggregated data to see which subgroups of students are receiving mastery-based credit. If disproportionality is found, the district will take appropriate actions to ensure equitable access to these crediting opportunities.

Cross References:
Policy 2410 High School Graduation Requirements
Policy2413 Equivalency Credit Opportunities

Legal References:
WAC 180-51-050 High school credit - Definition 
WAC 180-51-051 Procedure for granting students mastery-based credit 
WAC 392-121-139 Full-time equivalent enrollment for paid work experience for elective credit 
WAC 392-410-316 Equivalency course of study - elective credit for paid work experience 
RCW 28A.230.090 High school graduation requirements or equivalencies - Reevaluation of graduation requirements - Review and authorization of proposed changes - Credit for courses taken before attending high school - Postsecondary credit equivalencies 

Adopted:  December 17, 2024