COMMERCE & INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Syllabus & Outline Ø Business Industry Certified Ø Page 1 of 6
Course/Grade Level/Credit: / Personal Finance/9th/½Cluster: / Finance
Program: / Finance
Pathway/Course: / Banking Services/Accounting/Insurance/Corporate Finance
Prerequisite: / Business Technology Applications
2010-2011 School Term / Clock Hours
First Semester
Nine Weeks / Second Semester
Nine Weeks / 72
1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / Minutes
96 / 4320
Block / Days / Weeks
1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 45 / 9
Diploma with Endorsements
· Alabama High School Diploma with Career/Technical Education Endorsement by completing the required credits in the core curriculum (Concentrator status Program Foundation Course plus one other course)
· Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Career/Technical Education Endorsement by completing the required credits in the core curriculum (Completer status Program Foundation Course plus two Pathway Courses)
· AOD
· Certificate of Completion
· Endorsements must be consistent with guidelines established by the State Department of Education and local boards of education
Instructional Philosophy:
Students are expected to meet all course goals listed and demonstrate understanding of the underlying concepts through successfully completing activities and projects related to the course. Activities/projects will require student to draw upon basic academic skills in math, English, and reading. Students will engage in activities, experiences, and assessments that will require them to evaluate, synthesize, and demonstrate knowledge; as well as, utilizing process skills (such as decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking) and integrating these techniques within the scope this course. Informal and formal assessments are used to determine student progress.
Program Description (Abstract):
Personal Finance may be taught as a half-credit course or a one-credit. For a half-credit course,
content standards 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, and 18 must be included The course introduces students to the management of personal and family resources to achieve personal goals and financial literacy. Content provides opportunities for students to explore consumer behavior, laws and legislation, consumer protection, consumer rights and responsibilities, consumer decision making, advertising and promotional techniques, individual and family money management, banking services, use of credit, income tax, technology, and careers in providing financial services to individuals and families. This curriculum provides students with learning experiences that incorporate academic content and work-related skills. Coursework focuses on technical skills, basic and specialized business concepts, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and effective communication. Information is also provided regarding possible credentialing or certification.
Program Goals/Purposes:
Rigor in the course is derived from two primary sources—academic and industry-specific workplace knowledge and skills. Rigor in the workplace is evidenced by the knowledge and skills required for students to achieve, maintain, and advance in employment in a particular pathway. The level of academic and workplace rigor is a function of the degree to which each career and technical education program prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand careers. In addition, articulation agreements in partnership with postsecondary institutions have been developed to allow for a seamless transition for students pursuing opportunities for continued education. The implementation of this course equips students with the life skills and knowledge necessary to meet this and other demands by preparing them for lifelong learning.
Textbook/Resources:
· Name of Textbook:
· Name of Workbook:
· Other Resources: Instructor Handouts, appropriate Internet materials, guest speakers, and other appropriate course materials.
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL)
Student Organization/Course Fee/Club Dues:
Career and technical student organization, FBLA, is an integral, co-curricular component of each career and technical education course. This organization serve as a means to enhance classroom instruction while helping students develop leadership abilities, expand workplace-readiness skills, and broaden opportunities for personal and professional growth. The goals for this organization is to enhance classroom instruction, develop leadership skills, and provide opportunities for professional growth and service.
· Developing individual potential
· Developing effective leadership and citizenship skills through social, economic, scholastic, and civic activities
· Increasing knowledge and understanding of an ever-changing society
· Assisting in the exploration of occupational choices
· Participating in career development events
· Serving the school and community through student organization projects The course fee is $20 per semester. Dues for FBLA are $8 per year. Students are strongly encouraged to join the student organization FBLA.
o (Checks should be made payable to: SELMA HIGH SCHOOL).
Instructional Materials:
· Two (2) 3-Ring Notebooks, Loose leaf Paper, #2 Pencils, Black or Blue Ink Pens
· Dictionary/Thesaurus, Tabs for Organizing Notebooks, Document Sheet Protectors
· USB Drives for storing assignments
· Two (2) Reams of Copier Paper (1 color and 1 plain)
Student Expectations:
Students are expected to be punctual, prepared, positive, and persistent in completing course assignments and project endeavors by maintaining a student notebook and/or project notebook. It will be the responsibility of the student to adhere to all classroom rules/guidelines and school board policies.
Assessment/Evaluation:
· Grading Scale:
o The Selma City School Board of Education mandates that all students be graded on the following scale. The shaded section denotes the instructors’ assessment for this course in determination of grades.
Course Grading Scale / Quality Points Earned / Grades DeterminedLetter
Grade / Numerical
Range / Letter
Grade / Points /
Total Number of Points Earned
Total Number of Points Possible= Grade % X 100
A / 90 -100 / A / 4.0 / What Determines the Grade/Points
B / 80 - 89 / B / 3.0 / Tests / Quizzes
C / 71 - 79 / C / 2.0 / Classwork / DEAR Time
D / 70 - 65 / D / 1.0 / Homework / Classroom Participation
F / 64 - 00 / F / 0.0 / Projects / Extra Credit
Mandatory Senior Pathway Project / Individual Project/Presentation / Team Project/Presentation
o Classwork/Homework/Classnotes: Assignments will be given frequently involving related course materials. (Points will vary per assignments.) Assignments are due when asked for—late assignments will not be accepted. Student must bring appropriate materials to class daily. Note-taking is the responsibility of the student. Student is to obtain notes missed from fellow classmates when absent from class.
o Student Contact: It is recommended that the student obtain and record the names and phone numbers of at least three classmates in the event of student illness, school events, or other scheduled/non-scheduled absences from class.
o Student Attendance and Make-Up Policy: It is the responsibility of the student to make up missed assignments as soon as possible (refer to Selma City Schools Information Guide and Code of Student Conduct 2009-2010).
o School/Career Connections: Upon completing this course, the student will have basic knowledge necessary to complete assignments at the secondary/post-secondary levels of education. The student has the opportunity to further his/her knowledge by enrolling in other Career Technical Education courses.
The Career and Technical Education curriculum, together with postsecondary and four-year college and university programs, empowers students to become competitive employees and productive citizens.
Outline
COMMERCE & INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Syllabus & Outline Ø Business Industry Certified Ø Page 1 of 6
Consumer Decisions and Behavior
1. Compare factors that impact consumer purchasing decisions throughout the life span.
Examples: personal choice and values, attitudes, wants and needs, social influences
2. Describe state and federal consumer protection laws for individuals and families, including identity protection and credit laws.
3. Determine procedures for resolving consumer problems and complaints.
4. Explain the importance of taking responsibility for personal financial decisions.
Money Management
5. Determine factors that affect money management, including career choice, education, skills, and economic conditions.
· Identifying opportunity costs of financial decisions
6. Explain how taxes, government transfer payments, and employee benefits relate to
disposable income.
· Comparing net and gross income
7. Determine practices that allow individuals and families to maintain financial security.
Examples: determining needs and wants, creating a budget, setting goals, keeping records, developing a personal financial plan, saving, investing
8. Compare money-management tools and services available from financial institutions.
Examples: checking and savings account statements, online banking procedures, direct deposit, money transfer services, loans, online payment services
9. Demonstrate procedures for completing and filing income tax forms, including utilizing
software for income tax preparation.
Explaining terms used in personal tax forms
10. Explain factors that affect creditworthiness.
· Assessing credit options available to individuals and families
· Identifying ways to avoid or correct credit problems
· Analyzing dangers incurred by young adults with credit cards
· Determining sources, types, and risks of loans for individuals or families
· Describing steps for obtaining a credit report
11. Compare benefits of saving and investing for individuals or families, including factors that
affect the rate of return on investments, sources of investment information, characteristics of savings and investment options, and stages of investing.
· Calculating annual interest and annual yield
12. Distinguish between retirement and estate planning options available to individuals and families.
13. Compare types, lengths, and costs of care, life, health, disability, homeowner, and renter
insurance, including disability, waiting period, and disability benefits.
· Exploring the impact of uninsured and underinsured motorists
· Explaining the difference between independent insurance agencies and franchised agencies
Consumer Spending
14. Critique the impact of advertising and sales propaganda on individual and family spending
decisions.
15. Analyze shopping skills in relation to individual and family resource management across the life span.
· Comparing technologically advanced products and services
Examples: choosing a telephone service provider, buying a home computer, choosing an Internet service provider
16. Determine strategies for acquiring the most economical product or service.
Examples: product research, comparison shopping, shopping plan
17. Determine factors that affect the cost of goods and services, including sales tax, tips,
coupons, discounts, and unit pricing.
18. Prioritize steps involved in making consumer purchases, including transportation and housing.
· Calculating cost and finance charges
· Defining terminology associated with consumer purchases
· Predicting required maintenance of transportation and housing
Technology and Careers
19. Determine the impact of technology on personal financial management.
20. Explain career options and entrepreneurial opportunities related to the management of
personal financial resources.
COMMERCE & INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Syllabus & Outline Ø Business Industry Certified Ø Page 1 of 6
Parental/Guardian Acknowledgement:
To acknowledge that you and your child has had the opportunity to review this Personal Finance: Syllabus & Outline, and that it is understood what contents will be covered during his/her enrollment in this course, please indicate this by signing in the appropriate spaces provided below.
Please print your names on the top line and affix signatures in the appropriate spaces and date.
Student is to return this portion to the Personal Finance instructor by ______.
Parent/Guardian Signature / Date / Student Signature / DateDisclaimer: Please note that the instructor will add other materials to enhance student learning experiences. This will be incorporated in the instructor’s lesson plans.
The student will also obtain various skills that shall be positive life-long career applications as he/she pursues gainful employment at the post-secondary level.
In order for him/her to gain appropriate knowledge, skills, and life-long applications while enrolled in this course, they must have a desire to learn and do what it takes to aspire to go to the next level. Without their cooperation, they will hinder the learning experience not only for themselves but for their fellow classmates.
Inappropriate behavior or acts will be dealt with appropriately.