Profile Sheet
Title:Financial Counselors Assist Laid off Workers Maximize Severance Packages
Primary Subject Area:Mathematics
Outside Subject Area:Language Arts
Description of Student Roles and Problem Situation:
Students work as “financial advisors” to the workers of We R Broke, Inc. who are about to be laid off due to cutbacks. We R Broke, Inc. is eliminating 125 positions due to the economic recession. The students work to maximize the benefit of the workers’ severance packages through debt reduction strategies or budgeting advice. The financial advisors present their suggestions to the workers via multimedia presentation.
Teacher’s Name:Denise A. Ethridge
Grade Level:11th grade
Special Students:
Student from non-Western culture: I would research the culture of the student to find out the culture’s beliefs concerning debt. If the culture did not believe in carrying debt, I would assign the student a budgeting scenario. I would also research the culture’s feeling about teamwork to ensure the student is comfortable while completing the problem.
ESOL Student: I would provide documents translated into the native language of the student. I would also pair the student with another student sharing the native language of the ESOL student, if possible.
Title, Learner Characteristics, Sunshine State Standards
Teacher:Denise A. Ethridge
Title:Financial Counselors Assist Laid off Workers Maximize Severance Packages
Primary Subject Area:Mathematics
Outside subject Area:Language Arts
Class:Financial Math
Level:Honors
Grade Level: 11th
Primary Sunshine State Standards:
MA.912.F.4.1-Develop personal budgets that fit within various income brackets.
MA.912.F.4.4-Establish a plan to pay off debt.
Outside Subject Area Sunshine State Standards:
LA.1112.6.4.1-The student will select and use appropriate available technology (e.g. computer, digital camera) to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g. video, presentations).
Learner Characteristics of High Schoolers:
Physical: Although the birthrate for unmarried adolescents has fallen in recent years, it remains unacceptably high, as is the rate of sexually transmitted diseases. This problem will help all students develop financial awareness and debt reduction plans. If students become parents during their high school years, this problem will help them address financial needs associated with parenting.
Social: Parents and other adults are likely to influence long-range plans; peers are likely to influence immediate status.
Social: Many high school students are employed after school. This problem will help students with afterschool employment establish a budget. Students will be able to plan for major expenses (i.e. prom, senior trip, etc.), while budgeting for insurance, car payments, and cell phone bills.
Emotional: The most common type of emotional disorder during adolescence is depression. The text cites Martin Seligman’s theory that depression is caused by “learned helplessness, which leads to feelings of having no control over one’s life.” (p. 95) This lesson will help students struggling with depression learn how to manage the financial area of their life. Success in resolving the problem will help bolster students’ self esteem, as well.
Cognitive: High school students become increasingly capable of engaging in formal thought, but they may not use this capability. Because this problem has many viable solutions, students are able to test their suggestions to identify the best outcome. Problem based learning will exercise students’ ability to apply previous knowledge to a new situation.
Learning Outcomes, Student Role & Problem Situation, Meet the Problem Method
Teacher:Denise A. Ethridge
Title:Financial Counselors Assist Laid off Workers Maximize Severance Packages
Primary Subject Area:Mathematics
Outside subject Area:Language Arts
Class:Financial Math
Level:Honors
Grade Level: 11th
Primary Sunshine State Standards:
MA.912.F.4.1-Develop personal budgets that fit within various income brackets.
LO #1—Given a list of monthly expenses, income, and financial goals, students will formulate a monthly budget adhering to income and expense limitations. Budget will be evaluated by a rubric with a required score of at least 11 of 15 points. (Synthesis)
MA.912.F.4.4-Establish a plan to pay off debt.
LO #2—Given a list of expenses and available income, students will classify debts by their priority for payoff. Students will summarize their classification via chart assessed by a rubric. A score of at least 8 out of 10 is required. (Analysis)
Outside Subject Area Sunshine State Standards:
LA.1112.6.4.1-The student will select and use appropriate available technology (e.g. computer, digital camera) to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g. video, presentations).
LO #3—Given a monthly budget and payoff plan for debt, students will defend their recommendation via presentation. Students’ presentations will be graded via rubric, with a score of at least 45 out of 50 required. (Evaluation)
Learner Characteristics of High Schoolers:
Physical: Although the birthrate for unmarried adolescents has fallen in recent years, it remains unacceptably high, as is the rate of sexually transmitted diseases. This problem will help all students develop financial awareness and debt reduction plans. If students become parents during their high school years, this problem will help them address financial needs associated with parenting.
Social: Parents and other adults are likely to influence long-range plans; peers are likely to influence immediate status. This problem will allow students to set their own ideas of financial priorities. If their parents are fiscally responsible, their parents may continue to positively influence the student’s financial priorities. If the student’s parents are not fiscally responsible, the student can proactively decide to make better financial decisions.
Social: Many high school students are employed after school. This problem will help students with afterschool employment establish a budget. Students will be able to plan for major expenses (i.e. prom, senior trip, etc.), while budgeting for insurance, car payments, and cell phone bills.
Emotional: The most common type of emotional disorder during adolescence is depression. The text cites Martin Seligman’s theory that depression is caused by “learned helplessness, which leads to feelings of having no control over one’s life.” (p. 95) This lesson will help students struggling with depression learn how to manage the financial area of their life. Success in resolving the problem will help bolster students’ self esteem, as well.
Cognitive: High school students become increasingly capable of engaging in formal thought, but they may not use this capability. Because this problem has many viable solutions, students are able to test their suggestions to identify the best outcome. Problem based learning will exercise students’ ability to apply previous knowledge to a new situation.
Student Roles and Problem Situation:
Students will serve as financial advisors to recently laid-off workers. The financial advisors with Listen To Us Advisors, LP are providing their services (either budgeting or debt reduction) as part of severance packages from We R Broke, Inc. The solutions will be presented during conferences with the workers.
Meet the Problem Document:
Memorandum
To:Listen To Us Advisors, LP
From:We R Broke, Inc.
Date:11/15/2018
Re:Severance Package Financial Advising Benefits
In light of the recent economic downturn, we will be eliminating 125 employees across our corporation. In order to assist these employees with their financial needs, we are contracting with your company for financial advising services.
We are requesting advisors to assist our outgoing employees with two specific areas: budgeting and debt reduction. We request your firm to provide qualified advisors to meet with employees who elect to utilize this service on May 5, 2010. We will rely on your firm to instruct our employees regarding any information to bring to the initial meeting. After meeting with the employees, follow up meetings to discuss recommendations will be held on May 14, 2010.
We expect your firm to handle our employees with utmost care and concern. We need your help to ensure our employees are given the best financial advice possible in this difficult time.
Problem Statement, Know/Need to Know Boards, Possible Resources
Teacher:Denise A. Ethridge
Title:Financial Counselors Assist Laid off Workers Maximize Severance Packages
Primary Subject Area:Mathematics
Outside subject Area:Language Arts
Class:Financial Math
Level:Honors
Grade Level: 11th
Primary Sunshine State Standards:
MA.912.F.4.1-Develop personal budgets that fit within various income brackets.
LO #1—Given a list of monthly expenses, income, and financial goals, students will formulate a monthly budget adhering to income and expense limitations. Budget will be evaluated by a rubric with a required score of at least 11 of 15 points. (Synthesis)
MA.912.F.4.4-Establish a plan to pay off debt.
LO #2—Given a list of expenses and available income, students will classify debts by their priority for payoff. Students will summarize their classification via chart assessed by a rubric. A score of at least 8 out of 10 is required. (Analysis)
Outside Subject Area Sunshine State Standards:
LA.1112.6.4.1-The student will select and use appropriate available technology (e.g. computer, digital camera) to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g. video, presentations).
LO #3—Given a monthly budget and payoff plan for debt, students will defend their recommendation via presentation. Students’ presentations will be graded via rubric, with a score of at least 45 out of 50 required. (Evaluation)
Learner Characteristics of High Schoolers:
Physical: Although the birthrate for unmarried adolescents has fallen in recent years, it remains unacceptably high, as is the rate of sexually transmitted diseases. This problem will help all students develop financial awareness and debt reduction plans. If students become parents during their high school years, this problem will help them address financial needs associated with parenting.
Social: Parents and other adults are likely to influence long-range plans; peers are likely to influence immediate status. This problem will allow students to set their own ideas of financial priorities. If their parents are fiscally responsible, their parents may continue to positively influence the student’s financial priorities. If the student’s parents are not fiscally responsible, the student can proactively decide to make better financial decisions.
Social: Many high school students are employed after school. This problem will help students with afterschool employment establish a budget. Students will be able to plan for major expenses (i.e. prom, senior trip, etc.), while budgeting for insurance, car payments, and cell phone bills.
Emotional: The most common type of emotional disorder during adolescence is depression. The text cites Martin Seligman’s theory that depression is caused by “learned helplessness, which leads to feelings of having no control over one’s life.” (p. 95) This lesson will help students struggling with depression learn how to manage the financial area of their life. Success in resolving the problem will help bolster students’ self esteem, as well.
Cognitive: High school students become increasingly capable of engaging in formal thought, but they may not use this capability. Because this problem has many viable solutions, students are able to test their suggestions to identify the best outcome. Problem based learning will exercise students’ ability to apply previous knowledge to a new situation.
Student Roles and Problem Situation:
Students will serve as financial advisors to recently laid-off workers. The financial advisors with Listen To Us Advisors, LP are providing their services (either budgeting or debt reduction) as part of severance packages from We R Broke, Inc. The solutions will be presented during conferences with the workers.
Meet the Problem Document:
Memorandum
To:Listen To Us Advisors, LP
From:We R Broke, Inc.
Date:11/15/2018
Re:Severance Package Financial Advising Benefits
In light of the recent economic downturn, we will be eliminating 125 employees across our corporation. Severed employees will be receiving severance packages based on their years of service and current position. In order to assist these employees with their financial needs, we are contracting with your company for financial advising services.
We are requesting advisors to assist our outgoing employees with two specific areas: budgeting and debt reduction. We request your firm to provide qualified advisors to meet with employees who elect to utilize this service on May 5, 2010. We will rely on your firm to instruct our employees regarding any information to bring to the initial meeting. After meeting with the employees, follow up meetings to discuss recommendations will be held on May 14, 2010.
We expect your firm to handle our employees with utmost care and concern. We need your help to ensure our employees are given the best financial advice possible in this difficult time. In return, we agree to pay your firm the standard rate for 2 weeks of services of $1450.00.
Problem Statement:
How can we, as financial advisors, assist the laid-off workers of We R Broke, Inc. in such a way that:
- the workers are able to maximize the benefit of their severance packages to reduce outstanding debt
- the workers are able to establish a monthly budget to accommodate their reduced income
- the reputation of We R Broke, Inc. is promoted for their efficient handling of their laid-off workers
- the information is complied and transmitted to workers by May 14, 2010
- the cost to our company is less than $1450.
Know/Need to Know Board:
Know:
Lay off will affect 125 employees
The layoff was caused by the economic downturn.
Employees will receive severance packages based on their years of service and current positions.
First meeting with employees will be May 5th.
Final presentations of suggestions are to be made May 14th.
We are to provide budgeting and debt reduction strategies to the employees.
Our budget is $1450.00.
We are responsible for communicating which documents are to be brought to the initial and final meetings with employees.
Need to Know:
What documents should we require the employees to bring?
How will we organize their appointments with advisors?
How can we promote/positively impact the reputation of We R Broke, Inc.?
What are the amounts of severance packages?
Will the employees know the amount of their severance packages before the initial meeting?
How will the advisors know which service (budgeting/debt reduction/both) employees wish to utilize?
How are we to communicate our recommendations to the workers?
Can we do a group presentation of universal recommendations with specific recommendations given to individual workers?
Will we have further contact with the employees after the initial and follow-up meetings?
How many employees of the 125 laid-off are interested in obtaining our financial advising services?
Resources:
Books:
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, Published January 2007, Published by Thomas Nelson in Nashville, TN, USA,(available through the Northwest Florida Regional Library System)
Financial Peace: Revisited by Dave Ramsey, Published January 2003, Published by Penguin Group (USA),(available though the Northwest Florida Regional Library System)
Web Sites/Articles:
“Dealing with Debt: Which Debt Should You Pay-Off First?” at Retrieved January 29, 2010
“How to Create a Budget” at Retrieved January 29, 2010
Debt Reduction Strategies,
Bank Rate.com—information on debt management, budgeting, credit card rates and investment options.
“Budgeting Strategies: Get Back on Track” by Andy Johnston, at Retrieved on January 29, 2010.
Newspaper Articles:
Employers Cut Back Aid to Laid-Off Workers by Anna Prior, August 9, 2009, available from The Wall Street Journal (
Capstone Performance
Teacher:Denise A. Ethridge
Title:Financial Counselors Assist Laid off Workers Maximize Severance Packages
Primary Subject Area:Mathematics
Outside subject Area:Language Arts
Class:Financial Math
Level:Honors
Grade Level: 11th
Primary Sunshine State Standards:
MA.912.F.4.1-Develop personal budgets that fit within various income brackets.
LO #1—Given a list of monthly expenses, income, and financial goals, students will formulate a monthly budget adhering to income and expense limitations. Budget will be evaluated by a rubric with a required score of at least 11 of 15 points. (Synthesis)
MA.912.F.4.4-Establish a plan to pay off debt.
LO #2—Given a list of expenses and available income, students will classify debts by their priority for payoff. Students will summarize their classification via chart assessed by a rubric. A score of at least 8 out of 10 is required. (Analysis)
Outside Subject Area Sunshine State Standards:
LA.1112.6.4.1-The student will select and use appropriate available technology (e.g. computer, digital camera) to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g. video, presentations).
LO #3—Given a monthly budget and payoff plan for debt, students will defend their recommendation via presentation. Students’ presentations will be graded via rubric, with a score of at least 45 out of 50 required. (Evaluation)
Learner Characteristics of High Schoolers:
Physical: Although the birthrate for unmarried adolescents has fallen in recent years, it remains unacceptably high, as is the rate of sexually transmitted diseases. This problem will help all students develop financial awareness and debt reduction plans. If students become parents during their high school years, this problem will help them address financial needs associated with parenting.
Social: Parents and other adults are likely to influence long-range plans; peers are likely to influence immediate status. This problem will allow students to set their own ideas of financial priorities. If their parents are fiscally responsible, their parents may continue to positively influence the student’s financial priorities. If the student’s parents are not fiscally responsible, the student can proactively decide to make better financial decisions.
Social: Many high school students are employed after school. This problem will help students with afterschool employment establish a budget. Students will be able to plan for major expenses (i.e. prom, senior trip, etc.), while budgeting for insurance, car payments, and cell phone bills.