Sioux Central Community School District

High School Course Outline

Department: Business

Course Title: Young Adult Living

Grade Level: 12

Length of Course: Semester

Brief Course Description:

Financial Literacy: This session has an interactive and 9-week comprehensive curriculum designed for  seniors who are preparing to manage their personal and family finances. The overall goal will be to raise the personal financial capabilities of young adults and help consumers make informed financial choices in today's increasingly complex, connected world. The course content is from a holistic approach toward managing family finances including decision making skills, creating spending plans, saving, understanding  consumer credit and insurance. Upon completion of the course, students will have an awareness of how financial decisions impact all aspects of their life. In addition, they will be instilled with the knowledge to make sound financial decisions as young adults.

21st Century Life Skills: This course is a 9-week session that focuses on life and career readiness skills, health and wellness, and online safety and ethics. The overall goal is to help young adults successfully transition into adulthood. Upon completion of this course, students will complete a resume, cover letter, and prepare for an interview. Students will be given tools to manage life-long health, wellness, and safety. In addition, students will focus on their roles and responsibilities as a citizen within a community, recognize their leadership qualities and discover ways to share their talents. This is a required course for all Seniors.

Goals for Course/Essential Outcomes 

1. Ability to make better financial decisions

2. Effective management of money and debt

3. Greater equipped to reach financial goals

4. Reduction of expenses through better regulation

5. Less financial stress and anxiety

6. Increase in ethical decision-making when selecting insurance, loans, investments, and using a credit card

7. Effective creation of a structured budget

8. Professional career choice and employment opportunities

Outline of Content for Major Areas of Study:

1. Recognize the influence of one’s financial preferences in financial decision-making 

   1. Recognize the influence of one’s financial preferences in financial decision-making 

   2.  Examine personal habits, strengths, weaknesses and values when it comes to money 

   3. Create a plan to create good money habits based on personality type and common external forces

   4. Recognize the importance of understanding and managing money in reaching financial goals

   5. Recognize the role of saving money in reaching financial goals • Identify components of a spending plan (budget)

   6. Identify short-term and long-term financial goal(s) 

   7. Create a spending plan (budget) 

   8. Recognize the importance of saving money for emergencies

2. Investigate and understand the costs, risks and rewards of life after high school.

   1.  Compare costs of different higher education institution types

   2.  Identify common financial aid types and terms

   3.  Identify alternatives to student loans to help pay for college

   4. Recognize the relationship between risk and return

3. Identify the rights and responsibilities of a borrower

   1.  Examine the relationship between interest and principle

   2.  Calculate the costs and time it will take to repay the current federal student loan balance 

4. Becoming a successful candidate for a job/profession and what employability looks like.

   1. Describe the steps to prepare for an interview

   2. Identify the components of a benefits package

   3.  Examine the components of a strong resume 

   4. Identify the components of a paycheck, including net pay, benefits, taxes, etc.

   5. Explain how to fill out appropriate tax forms

   6. Explain the steps for negotiating a starting salary 

   7. Outline the process and recognize the importance of filing taxes

5.  Recognize the importance of good credit history and the role of a credit score and credit report 

   1. Identify the components of a credit report and common credit report errors

   2. Identify the components of and financial behaviors that influence a credit score 

   3. Provide examples for ways to build or repair a credit score 

   4. Identify common identity theft and consumer fraud schemes

   5. Outline precautions to take to protect oneself from identity theft

   6.  Explain the steps necessary for resolving identity theft or consumer fraud

   7.  Explain the relationship between saving money on daily purchases and reaching long-term financial goals

   8. Identify common borrowing terms such as APR, Annual Fee, Finance Charge, etc.

   9. Calculate costs of borrowing with interest vs. paying in cash

   10. Identify ways to eliminate debt and avoid unnecessary borrowing in the future

   11. Identify the consequences of not repaying debt

   12. Calculate the cost of paying only the minimum on student loans or a credit card balance

   13. Calculate interest costs over time on an outstanding debt 

   14. Recognize the importance of communicating repayment issues with your debt servicer

6.  Explain the relationship between investing, compounding interest, time and building wealth

   1. Recognize the relationship between interest principal 

   2. Recognize the relationship between risk and return

   3. Understand the rule of 72

7.  Explain the concept of insurance and identity different types of insurances 

   1. Identify the components of and compare sample insurance policies 

VIII. Manage a Checkbook

2. Write a check

3. Fill out a deposit ticket

4. Reconcile a bank statement and a check register

IX. Compare the pros and cons of buying a house vs. renting

 X. Compare the pros and cons of buying a car vs. leasing

Link to state website for financial literacy standards

Grading Configuration:

➢ Classroom participation, activities, and attendance = 40% of total grade

➢ Quizzes and/or Unit tests = 60% of total grade