Students are required to earn one credit of Economics and Personal Finance. This course is actually two half credit courses that may be taken in any order and split during different terms.
In addition, the Virginia Department of Education requires that students, beginning with the class of 2020, receive training in First Aid, CPR, and AEDs in order to graduate. This training is taught through MLW 9th grade Health and PE classes. If a student takes 9th grade health/PE through their school division, they must check to make sure this training is offered in the 9th grade class. If it is not, students must make arrangements to receive training from a local organization and provide documentation to the MLW counseling department.
What follows are school guidelines and options concerning this requirement. We have included information about Health/PE since some students take this class during the summer as well. The counseling department recommends that students take Health/PE during the school day and Economics and Personal Finance online (either summer or school year).
The dates for summer Economics and Personal Finance courses are located on the academics tab of the school website underOnline Economics and Personal Finance . Questions about this course can be directed to Ms. Crista Hamilton at chamilton@gsgis.k12.va.us.
Summer School Courses
Summer school enrollment is permitted for 9th and 10th grade Health/PE courses and Economics and Personal Finance.
Students are permitted to take these courses through their local school division summer school programs and must register directly with division following division guidelines and course policies. Students are responsible for ensuring that MLWGS school registrar Mr. Lucas Veale receives verification of credit and grades.
Courses taken outside of MLWGS will count for credit and final grades will be listed on student transcript, but will not be included in GPA calculation.
Online Courses
Online courses taken through MLWGS will count for credit and will be calculated into the student’s GPA.
Students are discouraged from taking two online courses during the same summer.
Online Economics and Personal Finance taken during the school year will not count towards the required seven credit minimum enrollment. MLWGS does recommend (but does not require) taking a study hall in conjunction with the online Economics and Personal Finance class taken during the school year. See important considerations below.
The two summer courses run a combined 8 weeks, from approximately the third week of June through the first week and a half of August with a two-week break in the middle between the two courses.
Completion Deadlines
Students should complete 10th grade Health/PE and Economics and Personal Finance by the end of their junior school year. Under special circumstances, the Director may approve senior year enrollment.
It is recommended that students take Economics and Personal Finance during their sophomore or junior years (summers after 9th and 10th grade included).
School –day Courses
Health/PE courses are offered during the school year as normal school day classes. These courses will count towards credit and will be calculated into the student’s GPA.
Important Considerations/Requirements for Online Economics and Personal Finance
The course is structured with 160 modules of instructional content, and the State DOE has indicated that each module is intended for an average class time of 45 minutes from Intro to Comprehension Check, although some of our students were able to complete them in a little less time. However, please note that during the summer intensive course, students can spend up to as much as 4 hours per day completing the modules
Parents/Guardians can play an integral part in the successful completion of an online course. We encourage parents/ guardians to be involved in learning about the course requirements. A few tips:
o Understand the requirements of the course and time commitment involved by reviewing course materials. During the summer online course, the time commitment is intensive. During the school year, you will need to decide whether a full load (8 classes) with the additional online Econ/PF course is possible given your individual course load and extracurricular activities. Students may take 7 classes with 1 study hall, using the study hall to keep up with the Econ/PF online course from school.
o Ensure that your son/daughter has an appropriate work space with computer access when working from home;
o Ensure that your son/daughter follows the weekly minimum pacing guide set by the instructor so that they do not fall behind.
Characteristics of Successful Online Learners:
o Ability to work independently to successfully complete requirements of course in a timely fashion
o Strong reading comprehension and listening skills
o Ability to filter out disturbances or interruptions (turn off cell phones, TV, etc. while attending class online)