Japan's First: Japan Financial Education Support Organization Partners with Chiba Prefectural Chiba Junior and Senior High School to Launch 'Financial Education Effectiveness Measurement Model' Trial

The Japan Financial Education Support Organization (General Incorporated Association) (Co-Representative Directors: Risa Hirai and Nana Abe; Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter 'the Organization'), as a pioneering initiative for building a financial education model for public schools with a view to nationwide expansion, will begin a demonstration experiment on an educational effectiveness measurement model for financial education in collaboration with Chiba Prefectural Chiba Junior High School and Chiba High School (Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture). In this demonstration, by combining financial education classes with educational effectiveness measurement using the 'Practical Financial Skills Test' created by the Organization, the aim is to build a model that measures learning outcomes and changes in student awareness, which have traditionally been difficult to visualize. As an output of learning, the Organization also envisions connecting this to the 'FES Contest®', a financial education program for junior high and high school students that it organizes. The verification will proceed as an integrated financial education model combining classes, effectiveness measurement, and inquiry-based learning. Furthermore, based on the knowledge gained from this demonstration, the Organization will accelerate the expansion to junior high and high schools nationwide. Image of financial education before and after effect visualization Background of the Demonstration Experiment In recent years, the importance of financial literacy among young people has been increasing due to factors such as the lowering of the adult age and the progress of cashless payments. On the other hand, in school settings, financial education tends to be evaluated based on whether 'classes were conducted' rather than on their impact. The extent to which it affects students' understanding, awareness, and behavior has not been sufficiently visualized. Therefore, the Organization, recognizing the importance of measuring and visualizing the effectiveness of financial education, is working to develop a system that can measure learning outcomes and build a foundation for using those results to improve financial education. This demonstration is a pioneering initiative nationwide, conducting effectiveness measurements before and after financial education classes in a public school. The goal is not to end financial education as a one-off class, but to understand learning outcomes and link them to subsequent class design and inquiry activities, thereby building a financial education model that can be used continuously in school settings. The Organization has been developing financial education initiatives in Chiba Prefecture, such as holding the 'FES Contest®' regional tournament since the 2024 academic year. In Chiba Prefecture, the Organization is promoting collaboration for the advancement of financial education, including the creation of the Governor's Award and the Superintendent of Education Award, which are pioneering efforts nationwide. Against this backdrop, the Organization focused on the fact that Chiba Prefectural Chiba Junior High School, as a prefectural combined junior and senior high school, is an advanced practitioner of inquiry-based learning and has high potential as a model school for financial education in the public school system. Given the high affinity between the school's original subject 'Literacy for Learning' and the financial education promoted by the Organization, it was decided to conduct this demonstration experiment in collaboration. Through this demonstration, the Organization will proceed with the construction of evaluation indicators to visualize the financial literacy of young people. In the future, the aim is to create a system that allows comparison and analysis of the outcomes of financial education at the school and regional levels. Overview of the Demonstration Experiment ■ Implementation Plan Implementation Period: Fiscal Year 2026 Target: 3rd-year students at Chiba Prefectural Chiba Junior High School Expected Number of Test Takers: Approximately 80 (all 3rd-year students) Implementation Details: ・Pre-class learning outcome measurement (using the Practical Financial Skills Test, scheduled for mid-July) ・Financial education classes (scheduled for mid-to-late November) ・Post-class learning outcome measurement (using the Practical Financial Skills Test, scheduled for mid-December) ・Pre- and post-class questionnaire survey ・Learning output as inquiry activity (e.g., creating financial education videos) In this demonstration, by conducting educational effectiveness measurements using the Practical Financial Skills Test and questionnaires before and after financial education classes, the Organization aims to visualize changes in students' understanding, awareness, and behavior, and to build a model for measuring the effectiveness of financial education. The Practical Financial Skills Test measures the financial literacy of young people across eight areas: 'Use, Earn, Pay, Save, Prepare, Give, Borrow, and Grow.' The test is designed not just for rote memorization of knowledge but emphasizes 'how one can judge and make decisions in daily life.' In this demonstration, the test will be implemented as one method of educational effectiveness measurement. Image of demonstration implementation combining classes, tests, questionnaires, and outputs Model Building Aimed at Connection to School Curriculum This demonstration emphasizes a model design that can be continuously integrated into school education. In the current academic year, it will be introduced on a trial basis within the social studies (civics) classes for 3rd-year junior high school students. From the following academic year onward, full-scale introduction into the school's original subject 'Literacy for Learning' is planned. The verification will proceed as a financial education model that contributes to the realization of 'proactive, interactive, and deep learning' required by the Course of Study. Financial education is not limited to mere 'knowledge about money.' It leads to learning about: How to interpret information How to judge financial information How to live as a member of society Therefore, a high affinity is expected with the 'Literacy for Learning' education that the school is pursuing. Image of financial education schedule for the demonstration experiment year and the full-scale introduction year Collaboration with the FES Contest The Organization holds the 'FES Contest®', a financial education program for junior high and high school students, nationwide. Participation in this contest is envisioned as an output destination for learning outcomes. 4th FES Contest Future Outlook The Organization will organize the demonstration at Chiba Prefectural Chiba Junior High School and Chiba High School as a model case, and will consider expansion to other schools and regions in the future. Furthermore, as a financial education introduction model for public schools, the Organization aims to package: ・Class design ・Effectiveness measurement ・Test utilization ・Connection to inquiry activities and promote it nationwide as an integrated financial education model combining class implementation, effectiveness measurement, and inquiry activities. Through this demonstration, the Organization will advance the creation of a system that allows comparison and analysis of financial education outcomes at the school and regional levels, contributing to the improvement of the quality of financial education nationwide. Comment from Principal Takeichiro Masuda of Chiba Prefectural Chiba Junior High School and Chiba High School 'At our school, through the original subject 'Literacy for Learning,' we place importance on fostering students' ability to proactively engage with social issues and diverse information, think for themselves, make judgments, and communicate. Finance is a theme deeply related to students' daily lives, future career paths, and even the structure of society, and it is a field with high affinity for inquiry-based learning. In this demonstration experiment, we see great significance in practicing financial education in connection with 'Literacy for Learning' for 3rd-year junior high school students, and in visualizing their learning outcomes and changes in awareness. We hope this will be an opportunity for students to develop a sense of ownership, understand finance, and cultivate the ability to think and act proactively as members of society. Furthermore, based on the knowledge gained through this demonstration, we would like to consider the possibilities of financial education that crosses the school's original subject and various other subjects. While also keeping in mind future expansion to the high school level, we aim to explore the ideal form of continuous financial education as a combined junior and senior high school. We hope that this demonstration will not only enrich our school's educational activities but also spread to schools nationwide as a model for inquiry-based financial education in public schools.' A prefectural combined junior and senior high school located in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. Through its original subject 'Literacy for Learning' and other initiatives, the school is working to cultivate students' ability to proactively interpret and communicate information.