Personal Finance Syllabus

2015-2016
Instructor: Coach Merritt
Personal Finance Course Rationale/Overview
The goal of Personal Finance is to help students to become financially responsible,
conscientious members of society. To reach that end, this course develops students
understanding and skills in such areas as money management, budgeting, financial
goal attainment, the wise use of credit, insurance, investments, and consumer rights
and responsibilities.
This course will give students the tools and resources needed to make wise financial
decisions. Students will analyze their personal financial decisions, evaluate the costs
and benefits of their decisions, recognize their rights and responsibilities as consumers,
and apply the knowledge learned to financial situations encountered later in life.
Personal Finance Course Objectives
At the completion of the course, the student will be able to do the following:
Explain financial literacy and how sound financial decisions can increase a
persons standard of living and wealth.
Develop and evaluate a spending/savings plan.
Explain career preparation and job acquisition skills required for employment,
professionalism and career transitions in their chosen fields.
Summarize the rights and responsibilities of a consumer.
Describe the nature of tax liabilities and demonstrate the ability to prepare
personal income tax forms.
Evaluate services provided by financial institutions to make decisions for
personal banking needs.
Evaluate savings and investment options to meet short and long-term goals.
Analyze factors that affect the choice of credit, the cost of credit, and the legal
aspects of using credit.
Analyze choices available to consumers for protection against risk, identity theft,
and financial loss.
Suggested Supplies
3 ring binder for work and handouts
Pen or pencil
*These supplies should be brought to class everyday! You will lose 5pts. off your
weekly participation grade everyday you are unprepared.
Classroom Behavior/Course Expectations
Please be courteous to everyone at all times.
Come prepared and ready to learn.
No eating or drinking in class. (water is acceptable)
Be responsible for your own learning.
Attendance

 The tardy and attendance policy are set down by Germantown High School and
the Shelby County Board and are not flexible.

Grading
All grades are done on a total point system. In other words, each week you will
have an opportunity through tests, quizzes, essays, homework, and daily
(participation) grades to earn points. Your nine weeks average will be determined
by adding up the total number of points you have earned and dividing that
number by the number of possible points.
**Daily grades-you will receive 5pts/day for being prepared for class and fully
participating in our class. Failure to arrive for class prepared or failure to
participate (including sleeping) in our class will result in the loss of that days
points.
Make up work should be made up as soon as you return from being absent.
Late work will be lowered by a letter grade for everyday it is late.
Contacting Me
You or your parents contact me with questions by calling the school at 756-2350
or email me at merrittm@scsk12.org.

Student Signature: _________________________________________________ Date: ________

Parent Signature:___________________________________________________Date: ________