How Financial Education affects Mathematics performance? Evidence from Spain in the context of the Program School 2.0

Abstract

[EN] In this paper we evaluate the effect of the Program School 2.0 on both Financial Education and Mathematics performance using data from PISA 2012. The Program Shool 2.0 was implemented in 2009 in some Spanish Autonomoous Communities. This program promoted the use of computers, both in school and at home, among elementary and high school students. We detect that a greater benefit is obtained when the contents of Financial Educaton are taught in conjunction with the contents of the subject of Mathematics, although the mean effect of Financial Education over Mathematics is more intense in the Communities that have not participated in the Program School 2.0. This result may be related to the fact that only a moderate use of computers for personal use increases Mathematics and Financial Education performance. Nevertheles, given the recent implementation of the Program School 2.0, we should expect some "learning effects" that should be confirmed with future data.