Arkansas requires financial literacy education for public school students. The state has 74 financial literacy standards spanning 15 topic areas, covering grades 6-8, 9-12.

Last updated: March 2026

74 Standards
15 Topic Areas
required Mandate Status
6-8, 9-12 Grade Levels

Does Arkansas Require Financial Literacy Education?

Yes. Arkansas requires financial literacy instruction for public school students. Arkansas requires financial literacy education as part of the K-12 curriculum. The state has integrated financial literacy standards into social studies and career/technical education frameworks.

Mandate Details

Status
required
Standalone Course
No
Grade Levels
6-8, 9-12
Legislation
Act 2017-480 (HB 1442) / Ark. Code § 6-16-135 (August 1, 2017 (freshman class of 2017-2018))

Key Agencies

Arkansas Department of Education and Learning (ADEL)
State education agency providing curriculum guidance, standards, and general procurement oversight
Arkansas School Boards Association
Represents school districts; provides purchasing guidance and cooperative purchasing coordination
What this means for districts: Schools must adopt curriculum that aligns to Arkansas's 74 financial literacy standards. Districts need to verify that their chosen curriculum maps to these specific requirements.

What Are Arkansas's Financial Literacy Standards?

Arkansas has 74 financial literacy standards organized across 15 topic areas. These topics range from Credit & Debt and Employment & Benefits to Financial Systems & Regulation, covering the full spectrum of personal finance education.

21 standards
Credit & Debt
21 covered
15 standards
Employment & Benefits
3 covered 12 gaps
7 standards
Insurance & Risk Management
3 covered 4 gaps
5 standards
Saving
4 covered 1 gap
4 standards
Taxes
3 covered 1 gap
3 standards
Postsecondary Financing
1 covered 2 gaps
3 standards
Consumer Protection & Fraud
3 covered
3 standards
Housing & Mortgages
3 covered
2 standards
Earning Income
2 covered
2 standards
Banking & Payments
2 covered
2 standards
Retirement Planning
2 covered
2 standards
Budgeting & Cash Flow
2 covered
2 standards
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior
2 covered
2 standards
Investing
2 covered
1 standard
Financial Systems & Regulation
1 covered

How Arkansas School Districts Adopt Financial Literacy Curriculum

Arkansas is an open territory state, meaning individual districts have the authority to select and purchase curriculum directly without state-level approval. Arkansas does not have a state-mandated textbook adoption process. Districts have autonomy to select and purchase educational materials according to their own needs and budgets.

Purchasing Process

Individual school districts make independent purchasing decisions for educational materials. Some districts may participate in cooperative purchasing agreements, but there is no state adoption list or centralized procurement mandate.

Decision Level

School districts in Arkansas make autonomous decisions regarding curriculum and educational material selections. The state education agency provides guidance but does not mandate specific adoptions.

Cooperative Purchasing Options

Arkansas Educational Cooperative Purchasing Consortium Individual district purchasing consortia (varies by region)

Curriculum That Meets Arkansas's Financial Literacy Standards

Districts looking for a standards-aligned financial literacy curriculum can use iKnowFi Academy — a self-paced, online platform built on the Absorb LMS that maps directly to Arkansas's learning objectives. iKnowFi Academy covers 54 of 74 standards (73.0% coverage) across 10 courses.

Arkansas Standards Coverage

73.0%
54 of 74 standards covered 10 courses

Aligned Courses

Borrowing Money

3 modules · 7 standards aligned

Establishing Credit

3 modules · 4 standards aligned

Financial Building Blocks

2 modules · 8 standards aligned

Financial Preparation and Recovery

3 modules · 6 standards aligned

Making Housing Decisions

3 modules · 4 standards aligned

Managing Your Debt

4 modules · 9 standards aligned

Managing Your Money

3 modules · 4 standards aligned

The Importance of Saving

2 modules · 3 standards aligned

Using Credit Cards

1 module · 2 standards aligned

Your Financial Future

3 modules · 7 standards aligned

Arkansas's Financial Literacy Standards & iKnowFi Academy Alignment

All 74 standards — 54 covered by iKnowFi Academy.

Credit & Debt 21/21 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.4.C.5 Comparing and contrasting sources of credit (car loans, student loans, credit cards) 9-12 Borrowing Money
PF.4.C.5 Discussing the establishment and use of credit 9-12 Establishing Credit
PF.4.C.5 Identifying the factors that contribute to a credit score 9-12 Establishing Credit
PF.4.C.5 Calculating the actual costs associated with credit 9-12 Borrowing Money
PF.4.C.5 Discussing methods of solving credit problems 9-12 Managing Your Debt
PF.4.C.5 Evaluating the risks associated with overextending credit 9-12 Managing Your Debt
PF.4.C.6 Identifying and evaluating types of bankruptcy 9-12 Managing Your Debt
PF.4.C.6 Examining the impact of declaring bankruptcy and how it may affect future financial opportunities 9-12 Managing Your Debt
PF.4.C.7 Differentiating between the different types of loans (e.g., payday, auto, home, personal, student) 9-12 Borrowing Money
PF.4.C.7 Examining the lending process from application to approval 9-12 Borrowing Money
PF.4.C.7 Calculating true costs associated with loans (e.g., term length, interest rate) 9-12 Borrowing Money
PF.4.C.7 Understanding the factors that contribute to different interest rates 9-12 Borrowing Money
PF.4.C.7 Evaluating the implications of obtaining and/or defaulting on a loan 9-12 Managing Your Debt
E.6.ECON.PF.2 Critique components of personal money management to build wealth: Management of expenses and debt 9-12 Managing Your Debt
E.6.ECON.PF.6 Evaluate costs and benefits of using student loans 9-12 Managing Your Debt
E.6.ECON.PF.6 Evaluate costs and benefits of using credit cards 9-12 Using Credit Cards
E.6.ECON.PF.6 Evaluate costs and benefits of using personal loans (e.g., auto, home mortgage) 9-12 Borrowing Money
E.6.ECON.PF.7 Analyze factors that affect creditworthiness (e.g., credit score, three Cs of credit). 9-12 Establishing Credit
E.6.ECON.PF.8 Evaluate strategies to avoid and correct credit issues: Identity protection 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
E.6.ECON.PF.8 Evaluate strategies to avoid and correct credit issues: Bankruptcy* 9-12 Managing Your Debt
E.6.ECON.PF.8 Evaluate strategies to avoid and correct credit issues: Debt and credit management* 9-12 Managing Your Debt
Employment & Benefits 3/15 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.1.EI.4 Compare job offers for employee benefits (e.g., time, income, insurance, retirement, etc.) 9-12 Your Financial Future
PF.2.EI.1 Compare and contrast the methods by which employees are paid (e.g., direct deposit, paper check, payroll card) 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
PF.2.EI.4 Complete work-related forms: Retirement forms 9-12 Your Financial Future
PF.1.EI.1 Explain factors that influence career and job selection 9-12 —
PF.1.EI.2 Determine ways to locate and apply for a job by completing a job search in an area of interest 9-12 —
PF.1.EI.2 Determine ways to locate and apply for a job by completing a job application, cover letter, resume, and follow-up letter 9-12 —
PF.1.EI.3 Evaluate ways to make a positive impression during a job interview 9-12 —
PF.1.EI.5 Summarize skills needed to be successful in the workplace: communication 9-12 —
PF.1.EI.5 Summarize skills needed to be successful in the workplace: time management 9-12 —
PF.1.EI.5 Summarize skills needed to be successful in the workplace: basic employer expectations 9-12 —
PF.2.EI.4 Complete work-related forms: Medical forms 9-12 —
PF.2.EI.4 Complete work-related forms: Life Insurance forms 9-12 —
E.6.ECON.PF.1 Analyze the impact of education, training, job seeking skills, and workforce readiness skills on productivity, earning potential, and employment 9-12 —
E.6.ECON.PF.1 Job-seeking skills: network, interview skills, resume writing 9-12 —
E.6.ECON.PF.1 Workforce readiness skills: positive attitude, problem-solving, communication, time management, leadership, active listening, teamwork, meeting basic employer expectations 9-12 —
Insurance & Risk Management 3/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.6.I.1 Analyze the need for insurance in managing risk and how risk affects cost 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
PF.6.I.6 Investigate property insurance and potential riders including, but not limited to, homeowner’s, renter’s, and mortgage 9-12 Making Housing Decisions
E.6.ECON.PF.3 Analyze insurance as a risk-management strategy to protect against unforeseen financial loss (e.g., auto, health, life, homeowners, renters, disability, liability) 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
PF.6.I.2 Investigate the relationship between insurance premiums and deductibles 9-12 —
PF.6.I.3 Evaluate auto insurance options and factors affecting cost of coverage including split limit 9-12 —
PF.6.I.4 Assess health related insurance options and types of coverage (e.g., health, dental, vision, stroke/heart disease, cancer, accident, short-term/long-term disability, long-term care) 9-12 —
PF.6.I.5 Analyze various types of life insurance (e.g., term, whole) 9-12 —
Saving 4/5 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.7.SI.1 Compare the effects of interest rates as applied to saving and borrowing money 9-12 The Importance of Saving
PF.7.SI.3 Calculate simple and compound interest and explain the difference between the two 9-12 The Importance of Saving
PF.7.SI.5 Compare the characteristics of saving tools (e.g., liquidity, interest rates, term length) to determine how to best meet a financial goal 9-12 The Importance of Saving
E.6.ECON.PF.2 Critique components of personal money management to build wealth: Saving (e.g., stick to a budget, automate savings, cut out unnecessary spending) and investing (e.g., growth, shares, property) 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
PF.7.SI.2 Examine how consumers are affected by raising and lowering interest rates 9-12 —
Taxes 3/4 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.2.EI.2 Represent and analyze various types of income deductions and how they impact income (e.g., payroll taxes, deductions, gross pay, net pay) 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
PF.2.EI.4 Complete work-related forms: W4 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
E.6.ECON.PF.5 Examine employment forms W-4, W-2, I-9, payroll deductions, and other deductions in order to file an appropriate income tax form. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
PF.2.EI.4 Complete work-related forms: I9 9-12 —
Postsecondary Financing 1/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.3.CCP.1 Explore potential careers and the steps needed to achieve them based on interests and/or talents 9-12 Your Financial Future
PF.3.CCP.2 Explore opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and real-world experiences to determine future career paths 9-12 —
PF.3.CCP.3 Develop a flowchart to outline the steps needed to achieve chosen career paths 9-12 —
Consumer Protection & Fraud 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.4.C.1 Identify types of fraud and credit abuse and develop strategies to protect oneself from identity fraud and theft 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
PF.4.C.2 Discuss common crimes against consumers and examine federal consumer protection laws 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
E.6.ECON.PF.9 Discuss consumer protection laws (e.g., Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, Truth in Lending Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act) 9-12 Using Credit Cards
Housing & Mortgages 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.4.C.3 Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of renting versus owning a home 9-12 Making Housing Decisions
PF.4.C.4 Analyze factors that determine/influence mortgage costs (e.g., interest rate, term length, credit rating) 9-12 Making Housing Decisions
E.6.ECON.PF.2 Critique components of personal money management to build wealth: Home-ownership 9-12 Making Housing Decisions
Earning Income 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.2.EI.3 Analyze differences among salary, hourly, commission, and overtime pay 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
E.6.ECON.PF.2 Critique components of personal money management to build wealth: Income (e.g., salary, hourly, overtime, commission) 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Banking & Payments 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.5.MM.1 Compare types of banking institutions including products and services available 9-12 Managing Your Money
PF.5.MM.2 Explore the process of opening and managing different types of accounts (e.g., checking, savings) 9-12 Managing Your Money
Retirement Planning 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.5.MM.3 Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various retirement plans (e.g., pension, 401K, IRA, social security) 9-12 Your Financial Future
E.6.ECON.PF.2 Critique components of personal money management to build wealth: Planning for retirement 9-12 Your Financial Future
Budgeting & Cash Flow 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.5.MM.4 Analyze expenses to create a household budget including housing, utilities, food, saving, insurance, taxes, and charitable giving 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
E.6.ECON.PF.4 Analyze income and expenses to create a household budget including food, shelter, transportation, utilities, insurance, savings, charitable giving, and other expenses. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.5.MM.5 Examine the influences on financial planning decisions (e.g., needs vs. wants, priorities, values, stages of life, estate planning) 9-12 Managing Your Money
PF.7.SI.6 Interpret the role of goal setting as an integral part of financial planning and construct a well written goal 9-12 Managing Your Money
Investing 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.7.SI.4 Analyze the relationship between risk and return 9-12 Your Financial Future
PF.7.SI.7 Research different types of investments and consider the importance of diversification 9-12 Your Financial Future
Financial Systems & Regulation 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
PF.7.SI.8 Understand the regulation of savings and investments 9-12 Establishing Credit

Arkansas Financial Literacy FAQ

Yes. Arkansas requires financial literacy instruction.

Arkansas requires financial literacy education as part of the K-12 curriculum. The state has integrated financial literacy standards into social studies and career/technical education frameworks.

Arkansas's financial literacy requirement is established by Act 2017-480 (HB 1442) / Ark. Code § 6-16-135. Effective August 1, 2017 (freshman class of 2017-2018).

Creates the Personal Finance and Job Readiness Act, requiring each public high school student to earn at least one credit in a course taken in grades 10-12 that includes personal and family finance standards developed by the Department of Education before graduation, beginning with the freshman class of 2017-2018.

Arkansas's financial literacy standards apply to grades 6-8, 9-12. Standards are integrated into existing coursework.

Arkansas has 74 financial literacy standards spanning 15 topic areas including Credit & Debt, Saving, Employment & Benefits, Taxes, Consumer Protection & Fraud.

Arkansas's 74 standards are organized across 15 topics: Credit & Debt, Saving, Employment & Benefits, Taxes, Consumer Protection & Fraud, Housing & Mortgages, Insurance & Risk Management, Earning Income, Banking & Payments, Retirement Planning, Budgeting & Cash Flow, Financial Decision-Making & Behavior, Investing, Postsecondary Financing, Financial Systems & Regulation.

Arkansas is an open-territory state where individual districts purchase curriculum directly.

Individual school districts make independent purchasing decisions for educational materials. Some districts may participate in cooperative purchasing agreements, but there is no state adoption list or centralized procurement mandate.

iKnowFi Academy covers 54 of Arkansas's 74 financial literacy standards (73% coverage) across 10 self-paced online courses.

Each course is aligned to Arkansas's specific learning objectives, built on the Absorb LMS, and includes built-in assessments. Teachers assign them and students work independently.

Get Your Free Arkansas Standards Alignment Report

See exactly how iKnowFi Academy maps to each of Arkansas's 74 financial literacy standards — standard by standard, module by module.

  • 54 of 74 standards covered
  • 10 self-paced courses, ready to assign
  • Built-in assessments and progress tracking
  • No schedule changes needed — students work independently

Ready to see the full alignment?

Free for Arkansas school districts

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Last updated: March 2026