Central High Freshman Academy

2800 Dobbs Drive

Phenix City, AL 36870
Phone: 334-448-8780
Fax: 334-448-8690
Program Name: Business, Management, and Administration
Commerce and Information Technology
Career Preparedness
2016-2017
Course Syllabus
Instructor Information
Ms. Rodgetta D. Williams
Phone: 334-448-8780
Fax: 334-448-8690
rwilliams@mypcboe.net
http://cfabusinesscourses.weebly.com/

Course Overview and Purpose

Personal Finance, a one-half credit course, is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop skills for solving
real-world problems. The Personal Finance curriculum focuses on areas of study that address personal financial planning,
financial services, budgeting, investments, insurance protection, credit management, consumer purchases, and consumer
rights and responsibilities. Another integral component of the curriculum is the application of decision-making skills that
enables students to become more responsible consumers, producers, or business entrepreneurs.
Instructional strategies may include the use of projects, cooperative learning, simulations, real world experiences, guest
speakers, Internet access to businesses, and computer/technology applications. (Asterisks denote required content to be
used in developing the one-half credit Personal Finance course.)
Career and technical student organization, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is an integral, co-curricular
components of each career and technical education course. This organization serves 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.
There is no prerequisite for this course.

Course Objectives and/or Goals

Students will:

Manage limited personal financial resources and recognize that more of the wants and needs of members of a
society can be satisfied if wise consumer decisions are made.
Learn the steps in the financial planning process giving the student a solid foundation for making all financial
decisions.
Develop a marketing plan for an entrepreneurial venture.
Manage a payroll system.
Prepare tax reports.
Maintain personal budget records.
Understand banking and financial terms related to the industry.

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Prepare bank deposits, savings deposits and maintain checking accounts.

Calculate simple and compound interest.
Determine the principal components of spending.
Explore the loan process.
Identify types of risks and risk management methods.
Evaluate housing alternatives.
Examine factors affecting differences in interest rates.
Describe desirable work characteristics.
Calculate payments for purchases on credit.
Understand investment strategies and financial planning.

Certifications
Leads to MOS/IC3 Certifications

Essential Questions
1.

Why is it important to develop a personal financial plan?

2.

How do you determine wants and needs?

3.

How do you determine your income earned from sources other than you wages?

4.

How would you create and utilize a budget?

5.

How would you create and utilize a net worth statement?

6.

How would you create and utilize an income expense statement?

7.

How can consumers pay for acquiring goods and making major purchases?

8.

How do money management and consumer spending skills produce a financially secure individual?

9.

Why is it important to begin saving now?

10. How can I determine how long it will take to double my money given a certain interest rate?
11. What strategies should I use to save and invest my money?
12. How can I determine the most appropriate investment tools?
13. What can financial institutions do for me?
14. What are the costs associated with financial institution services?
15. What are the ways to avoid fees associated with financial services such as overdraft fees and ATM fees?
16. What is the difference between checking and savings account?
17. How do you manage a checking account?
18. How do you manage a savings account?
19. How do you balance banks statements?
20. How do you utilize online banking services?
21. How can banks assist you in managing your money?
22. How do you use credit wisely?
23. What does it mean to be credit worthy?
24. How can consumers use credit wisely?
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25. How can consumers avoid bankruptcy?

26. What is insurance?
27. Why do we need insurance?
28. Which insurance should I choose?
29. What are the benefits of insurance?
30. What are the risks of not having insurance?
31. How do you protect yourself against risks?
32. How can you reduce the cost of insurance?

2nd Nine Weeks (October 6, 2016- December 16, 2016): Managing finances and budgeting, saving and
investing, and banking and financial intuitions.
Projects and Papers: Savings and Investing project, What do I really Make Project, budget creation project,
checking and savings account portfolio.
3rd Nine Weeks (January 5, 2017 - March 13, 2017): Credit and debt, risk management, and technology skill
applications.
Projects and Papers: Car Loan project, credit report research project, bankruptcy comparison research paper,
and Financial Security Disaster Plan.
Course Grading Scale
Points
90-100
89-80
79-70
69-60
59 or below

Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
F

Assessments/Assessment Procedures
Grades will be given in each of the following categories:
Test/Quizzes

30%

Homework/Daily Assignments

30%

Professional development

10%

Final Exam/Projects

30%

Averages will be reported to parents on progress reports and report cards.

Students with EXCUSED absences will be allowed to make up missed work within three (3) days upon
returning to school. It is the students responsibility to ask for make-up work in a timely manner.

Any student who has difficulty with the course content is encouraged to confer with the teacher to obtain
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additional assistance.
PARENTS: please send a note, call the school at 334-448-8780 or email me to request a conference. Email
is the most efficient method of communication since I check my email often.
Course Procedures
Students are expected to show respect for the teacher, classmates, and school property.
Following expectations for class:
1. Be in seat ready to begin when the tardy bell rings. If you are not it will result in a tardy.
2. Bring supplies to class.
3. Chromebook should be charged each night. No students will be allowed to charge devices in the
classroom.
4. Do your own work!
5. NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN COMPUTER LAB (This includes gum)!
6. Name, date, and period must be listed on all papers.
7. Place all materials and assignments in designated area at end of class.
8. Make sure work area is neat and clean before leaving class.
9. Become familiar with emergency evacuation procedures and potential computer lab hazards.
Technology Rules
1. Respect the hardware and software. Do not alter anything on the desktop or hard drive. Do not damage
the computer, keyboard or mouse in any way. Do not install or download any programs without the
teachers permission.
2. Do not surf the Internet, read e-mail, chat or instant message when you're supposed to be listening to the
teacher or working on an assignment.
3. Store all documents on your google drive, not on the hard drive.
4. Log on using your assigned username and password.
5. Respect yourself. Do not give anyone your user name and password for any reason. Never post
comments, emails or chats under someone elses name.
6. All computer use must have an educational basis. No game playing without the teachers permission.
7. Read the instructions on the computer screen before asking for help.
8. Do not go around or use a back door proxy or server to do illegal searches.
9. Report malfunctions and glitches -- it saves time and energy.
10. Leave your workspace the way you'd like to find it. This means exit all applications, close the server
connection, and put your laptop (if needed) neatly back in its appropriate home.
ConsequencesBreaking any of these rules may result in a discipline referral.

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Syllabus Signature and Compliance Sheet

Additional Information:

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA

Our mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative
leadership and career development programs.
Dues: $30 (includes National, State, and Local Dues, Chapter polo styled shirt)
** Please see Ms. Williams if there are any concerns regarding the FBLA dues.

Goals: develop competent leadership, strengthen confidence, create an interest in and understand American
business enterprise, encourage members to develop projects that contribute to home, business and community,
develop character, citizenship, and patriotism, practice money management, encourage scholarship and promote
school loyalty, assist in establishing occupational goals, and facilitate transition from school to work.
Policy Related to Class Attendance
The attendance policy is outlined in the Phenix City Schools Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
Arrangements for make-up work for excused absences must be made with the teacher as soon as the student
returns to school. It is the students responsibility to ask for the make-up work.

______________________________________
Student Signature

__________________________________
Printed Name

______________________________________

____________________________________

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Parent Signature

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Printed Name