PERSONAL FINANCE – COURSE SYLLABUS
Justin Detweiler
jdetweil@pottstownsd.org
610-987-6700
WELCOME! In personal finance, students will learn how to make individual choices that
directly influence career, financial and future goals. Real world topics covered include income,
money management, credit, saving, and investing. Students will design personal and household
budgets and utilize checking and savings accounts. Students will learn about finance, debt, and
credit management, as well as learning how to evaluate and understand insurance and taxes.
Students will leave this course with a foundational understanding necessary for making informed
personal financial decisions leading to financial independence.
***This course is required for graduation. (.5 CREDIT)
COURSE CONTENT/TIMELINE
UNIT
Goal Setting – Future Planning
Day 1-8
Budgeting
Day 9-20
Banking/Money Management
Day 21-38
Investing, Insurance and Benefits
Day 39-43
Course Review and Final Exam
Day 44-45
Checking/Money Management Simulation
Ongoing throughout semester
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS/ASSESSMENTS
SMART goals project, Career research, Goal Unit
Test
Trip Budget (vacation), Budget based on your
future career, Budgeting Unit Test
Banking simulation, Banking document
completion, Banking and Credit Card research
project, Banking Unit Test
Investment opportunities assignments,
comparing pay vs. benefits case studies
Course Final
Completion of Personal Finance Simulation
GRADING
The following scale will be used:
100 - 93% = A
92 - 85% = B
84 - 77% = C
76 - 70% = D
69 - 0% = F
Your Grade is broken down into 3 categories:
Homework/Practice = 10%
Employability Skills = 20% (5pts per day)
(Prepared, productive, professional)
Skills = 70%
(Major assignments/projects, tests, quizzes)
Grades will be updated and posted on eSchoolPlus weekly, students and parents are
strongly encouraged to regularly check grades. Grade sheets may be sent home periodically
and will require a parent signature to be returned and graded as homework/practice.
CLASS RULES/EXPECTATIONS
CELL PHONES: No cell phones will be allowed in class at any time, under any circumstance.
School policy regarding the use of cell phones will be followed. Violation will result in the
appropriate consequences outlined in the student handbook. See student handbook for information
and disciplinary consequences.
LANGUAGE/ DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: Foul language and negative discussion will not be
tolerated. Cursing, inappropriate language and general disrespect will be dealt with promptly.
Behavior that disrupts the learning/working process is not acceptable. The goal of the class is to
create a safe learning environment where ALL can learn and succeed.
The consequences for inappropriate language/disruptive behavior of any kind will be as follows:
A. Verbal Warning and conference with teacher.
B. Note and/or phone call home to parents along with a detention.
C. Conference with parents and administration to determine appropriate disciplinary
action.
COMPUTER/INTERNET USE: Using the school provided computers and internet is a privilege;
failure to follow directions will result in those privileges being taken away. (The School’s Utilization
of Technology Policy can be found in the student handbook.) Students should not use the Internet
unless directed and then only use it for the assignment as directed. Game sites, Facebook,
Twitter, Tumblr, etc are not appropriate for school and are prohibited!
NON-NEGOTIABLE CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Item(s) required/Expectation
Failure to do so will result in:
Pen or pencil
Folder OR Binder
Notebook
Late to class (arrive AFTER the bell)
Name on ALL assignments
Zero (0) employability points for the day
Zero (0) employability points for the day
Zero (0) employability points for the day
Zero (0) employability points for the day
Item/Assignment discarded – Loss of points
--------------------------------------------------------------------SIGN AND RETURN THIS BOTTOM PORTION to Mr. Detweiler by: ___________________
__________________________
Parent Name
__________________________
Student Name
__________________________
Parent Signature
__________________________
Student Signature
Parent BEST/preferred contact (email or phone) :______________________________________