The effect of financial literacy training on financial literacy related mathematical achievement and motivation of middle school students

The aim of the study is to examine the effect of financial literacy education on students' academic achievement in mathematics-related learning objectives and their motivation toward mathematics. In line with this objective, student opinions regarding the implementation of financial literacy education were also sought. The study was designed according to the embedded design of mixed research methods. The data collection tools used in the study include the "Mathematics Achievement Test (MBT)" and the "Mathematics Motivation Scale (MMS)" for quantitative data, and a semi-structured interview form for qualitative data. The quantitative part of the study employed a pre-test post-test control group experimental design, while the qualitative part followed a case study design. The study group consisted of a total of 73 seventh-grade students enrolled in a middle school in the Seyhan district of Adana during the 2023-2024 academic year. In the analysis of the quantitative data, covariance analysis (ANCOVA) was conducted for four of the MMS sub-dimensions that met the necessary assumptions, while independent samples t-tests were applied to the two sub-dimensions that did not meet the necessary assumptions. For the analysis of MBT data, ANCOVA was used as the necessary assumptions were met. The qualitative data of the study were analyzed using content analysis. The analysis of the data revealed that there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in any of the MMS sub-dimensions. However, when the pre-test scores of the MBT were controlled, a significant difference was found in favor of the experimental group in the post-test scores. Students found financial literacy education engaging and highlighted its relevance to daily life, activities, and concepts. When evaluating the education from a mathematical perspective, they indicated that it facilitated understanding of percentages, interest rates, proportions, and mathematical operations, making mathematics easier. They also stated that they could use this education in their daily lives for financial management, budgeting, price comparisons, and calculating discounts, as well as applying it in their social lives and coursework.