PERSONAL FINANCE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Miss Debbie L. Ebner
COURSE TITLE:
Career Management
OFFICE:
Room #223
EMAIL:
Debbie.Ebner@bcsemail.org
OFFICE HOURS:
Before school 7:15-7:30 am (at 7:30 I am on duty in the front hallway), planning (2nd Block) or after
school on Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday until 4:30 pm. These are the times that I am typically
available for students. For the most part, I can be found in my classroom during these times – but this is not
a guarantee. If you know you need to talk with me, be sure to let me know by making an appointment. My
door is always open!
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
WELCOME TO A CLASS YOU WILL USE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!! This course is designed to prepare
students to locate, secure, keep, and change careers. Competencies for this course are based on the National
Career Development Guidelines. Strategies for this course include teamwork, technology, problem solving,
decision-making, goal setting, and self-management. There will be an intense focus on vocabulary recognition
& comprehension to prepare students for the end of course standardized VOCATS testing. NOTE: ALL
students must take the EOC; there are no exemptions.
Students are encouraged to belong to DECA (Professional Association of Business, Marketing, Finance,
Entrepreneurship, & Management Students) as a co-curricular component. DECA enhances classroom
instruction through the development of leadership and professional skills. DECA provides opportunities for
professional growth and service through competitive events, sales projects, and community service missions.
COURSE CONTENT:
Do you ever think about the type of life you want for yourself today and in the future? Do you
consider the impact that your money management skills can have on your present and future
lifestyles? If you created a list of everything you did today most items on that list would involve
money. Money is an important part of daily life, and when managed responsibly, can contribute to
your sense of well‐being. Your financial well‐ being depends in large part on the choices you make.
Wise decisions about earning, saving, borrowing and investing will enable you to attain your personal
goals while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. This course is designed to help you develop the skills,
knowledge, and resources to effectively manage your money.
Themes that run throughout this course involve how you handle your money both as an individual
and as a member of a larger community (your school, city, state, etc.). All of us receive benefits,
both financial and non‐financial, from the communities in which we live. And, we also give back to
our communities in many ways. The lessons in this course will highlight both individual decisions and
the value of being a part of a community.
GRADES
Grades are posted by student number on my website on a weekly basis. You are responsible for checking
your grade & keeping up with missing assignments. **An IMPORTANT Point To Remember: Any grade is
better than a ZERO!!! Late work is not accepted after 4 days from the due date.
COURSE WORK
Tests:
Vocabulary:
Daily Classwork:
Homework:
Final Exam:
7 Unit Tests + Comprehensive Unit Tests
7 Units of Vocabulary Index Cards
Daily work is completed for a grade
Homework is completed for a grade
25% of the course grade
**LATE WORK – Lowered 1 letter grade for each day late, NOT ACCEPTED AFTER 4 DAYS.
MAKE UP WORK:
You are responsible for getting your make up work on the 1st day you return to school BEFORE or AFTER
school – never during class.
ATTENDANCE – Possible 200 BP’s
Each semester, students will have to potential to earn up to 200 bonus points for attendance. Every student
begins the semester with 100 bonus points for attendance. The only way to loose these points is through
absences & tardies.
 Each tardy will cost 5 points (there is no such thing as an excused tardy).
 Every excused absence, after the first 2, will cost you 10 points.
 Each unexcused absence will cost 25 points.
 Pre-arranged academic absences will cost -0- points.
If you have PERFECT ATTENDANCE (ZERO tardies, ZERO absences, pre-arranged academic absences are
ok), your 100 bonus points for attendance will be DOUBLED (earning you 200 bonus points)!!
** NOTE: Attendance bonus points can sometimes make of a full letter difference grade for you!
ELECTRONICS – Possible 100 BP’s
Every student begins the semester with 50 bonus points for adhering to the electronics policy. The only way
to loose these points is for a student to use an electronic in my classroom (cell phone rings, texting, talking,
capturing video or pictures, Ipod, mp3, etc). Each violation will result in a deduction of 25 bonus points. If
you end the semester without any electronics violations (still have 50 BP’s), these bonus points will be doubled
(you will earn 100 bonus points)! AS PER SCHOOL POLICY - If you use your cell phone in the
classroom, it will be taken up & given to administration.
BONUS POINTS
There will be a number of opportunities for bonus points, which are given at the discretion of the instructor.
It is highly recommended that every student take full advantage of these opportunities. In the
past, 20-30% of a student’s grade has been restored by their outstanding participation and
performance in bonus point activities. Participation in bonus point opportunities is always the option of
the student. Choosing not to participate will not hurt your grade. However, it’s always sad at the end of the
semester when a student who really needs it did not to take part in the extra benefit of earning bonus points.
** DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN BONUS POINTS!!**
YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED THEM IN THE FUTURE!!
NEED HELP?
I am willing to help you outside of the course classroom. If you need help with homework, studying, tests,
etc. – PLEASE come & see me in my classroom during the times listed above. If you do not ask me
for help, I may not know you need it.