Economics & Personal Finance (EPF)

Instructor:  Mr. Stubbs

Classroom:  406

Course Overview: The Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course is intended to be a study of economics, personal finance, money management, critical consumerism, and financial planning. This course will prepare them to be college, career, and civic ready. (from the North Carolina Standards for Economics and Personal Finance)

Economics & Personal Finance – Common Core Standards

EPF.E.1.1 Compare how individuals and governments utilize scarce resources in traditional, command, market, and mixed economies. 

EPF.E.1.2 Distinguish market structures in terms of economic characteristics and the roles they play in decision-making and opportunity costs.  

EPF.E.1.3 Explain how supply and demand determine equilibrium price and quantity produced. 

EPF.E.1.4 Compare the ways in which incentives and profits influence what is produced and distributed in a market system.

 EPF.E.2 Analyze the role of government and economic institutions in developing and implementing economic stabilization policies in the U.S. 

EPF.E.2.1 Summarize basic macroeconomic indicators and how they vary over the course of a business cycle. 

EPF.E.2.2 Summarize basic microeconomic indicators and how they vary over the course of a business cycle.

 EPF.E.2.3 Explain how fiscal policy and monetary policy influence overall levels of employment, interest rates, production, price level, and economic growth. 

EPF.E.2.4 Differentiate organizations in terms of their roles and functions in the United States economy.  

EPF.E.3 Understand the role of government in a market economy.   

EPF.E.3.1 Identify the role the government plays in providing a legal structure to protect property rights and enforce contracts. 

EPF.E.3.2 Explain how government regulation impacts market activity. 

EPF.E.3.3 Explain how taxes and fees fund government goods and services. 

EPF.E.4 Understand factors of economic interdependence and their impact on nations. 

EPF.E.4.1 Explain the impact of trade on the interdependence between nations.  

EPF.E.4.2 Explain how North Carolina contributes to and benefits from the United States and world economies.  

Classroom Strategic Learning Goal

By the end of the semester, 100% of the Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) students will be proficient on the EPF final.  100% of students will have 70% or above for the EPF course.

Rules: 

• All school rules that are in your student handbook apply in my class.

• Respect your teacher, respect your peers, and respect yourself, at all times.

• Be prepared when you come to class (pen, pencil, notebook, textbook, etc.)

• Be on time to class.  If you are not in the class when the bell rings, you will be considered late. You are responsible for everything that takes place in this class even if you are not present.

  1. Please see attendance and tardy policies on the bulletin board

• Insulting or putting down others in the classroom will not be tolerated.

• Disruptions to the learning process of any kind will not be tolerated. 

 Homework/Classwork Policy:

1. Homework, when assigned, will be handed in on time.  It will be handed in at the beginning of the day it is due. The student will have 10 points taken off for every day the assignment is late up to 5 days. The student will receive a 0 after five days late.

2. If a student misses a day of class, it is the student’s responsibility to make it up.  Student will have 5 days from the return date to turn in or take any and all missed work or tests.  All tests or quizzes will be made up before school or during I&E.  Please make arrangements with me beforehand.

3. It is the teacher’s discretion to allow retesting; if retesting is allowed, students will have one week to complete; an average score will be taken.

Necessary Class Materials:

1.  Three ring binder

2.  Loose leaf notebook paper

3.  Pen or pencil

4.  Chromebook / Text

*If we do a project in class, I will inform you in advance of what you will need to bring in.

Wireless Communications Device and Electronics Policy

In accordance with the Transylvania County School Board policy, electronic devices such as cell phones, digital music players, personal digital assistants, etc. will be confiscated if they are being used during school hours. 

Grading Scale:                                                            

90%-100% = A                                  

80%- 89% = B                                              

70%- 79% = C                                              

60%- 69% = D             

59% and lower =   F   

 **Please keep in mind the EPF Final is 25% of the students’ final grade

Office/lab Hours

Students are free to come by for assistance with any problems or questions during the I & E period.  If a student has a grade below a 75%, then they are required to attend the I & E sessions until their grade is improved.  

I look forward to the upcoming semester and hope that you do as well.  This semester is a very important step in your child’s educational career and I have high hopes for success for all of my students.  I plan to create an environment that promotes learning while also allowing your child to grow socially.  I hope to create a class where everyone can get involved in important discussions.  This can be done with cooperation by me, your child, and all parents/guardians.  I plan on keeping you informed of your child’s progress throughout the year.  The easiest way to keep informed about your child’s progress is through communication with your child and me, as well as, through Power School.  I will make it a point to inform all students of their current grade.  If at anytime you would like more information, feel free to email me at rstubbs@tcsnc.org 

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