Financial Services

Course Syllabus

Financial Services 11-12 Grades

Rationale and Course Description

This course develops skills necessary for employment in banking and financial institutions. It is designed to teach fundamental principles of elementary accounting, personal money management, filing, banking principles, security procedures, customer relations, and the use of specialized equipment. Students will be required to complete take the State Competency Test, which will include topics in Business Fundamentals, Consumer Finance & Financial Knowledge.

How will students learn?

Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of the underlying concepts by taking the comprehensive Financial Services skills test. The instruction will be conducted through the use of lecture, textbooks, handouts, hands-on exercises, and computer/special projects assigned by the instructor. Students will work independently and in teams that will enable them to learn how to complete projects by themselves and/or as a team member. Assignments will require students to draw upon academic skills in reading, writing and math.

Content Outline

Students will be introduced to the Business Financial Management & Accounting pathway. They will be obtaining the knowledge and skills in the area of Academic Foundations, Communications, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking, Information Technology Applications, Safety, Health and Environmental, Leadership and Teamwork, Ethics and Legal Responsibilities, Employability and Career Development & Technical Skills.

How will students be assessed?

Student assessment will be based on work completed, group work, written and oral presentations, test scores, and their six week portfolios. Research will be completed through the use of computer programs; including but not limited to the Internet, library usage, and local businesses. Students will be given ample opportunity to complete assigned projects to meet course requirements. To help meet these requirements, students will learn how to evaluate their progress and make adjustments as needed throughout the course.

Major Projects/Products

Students will complete units in the following areas:

Create Budget with tables (using spreadsheet)
Stock, Bonds, Capital Gain/Loss (using spreadsheet))
Money Management:
Risk Management:
Credit Management
Career Exploration

Learning Resources

Textbooks, Workbooks that accompany textbooks, and Internet

Grading Policy

Make-Up Work Policy

Use principles of planning, management, and organization.
1.1	Analyze methods to organize, plan, and manage resources and time effectively.
1.2	Evaluate procedures to enhance quality work.

Demonstrate knowledge of leadership.
2.1	Participate in a business student organization.
2.2	Demonstrate knowledge of the business student organization’s purpose and mission.
2.3	Develop leadership presentation skills using technology.
2.4	Demonstrate leadership skills in classroom activities.

Identify, plan, and prepare for a future career.
3.1	Analyze personal skills, interests, and abilities related to career planning.
3.2	Research a specific career for information on education, training, job outlook, etc.
3.3	Develop a portfolio of work created for seeking employment.
3.4	Prepare a budget utilizing the anticipated income for a person working in a specified career.

Demonstrate knowledge of finance and commerce in global economy.
4.1	Explore financial records necessary for personal and business use.
4.2	Analyze financial documents utilized in financial systems.
4.3	Utilize technology to perform duties necessary to conduct business transactions.
4.4	Utilize basic skills to calculate information on spreadsheets.
4.5	Recognize how knowledge of financial services is an integral part of the global market.

Apply professional customer service and communication skills.
5.1	Demonstrate proper written and verbal communication skills.
5.2	Utilize appropriate customer service and communication skills.

Standards and Benchmarks

Standard 1

Standard 2

Standard 3

Standard 4

Standard 5

Standard 6

Content Outline

Course Syllabus

Pacing Calendar

Demonstrate proficiency in the use of technology.
6.1	Demonstrate knowledge of word processing, graphing, spreadsheets, and presentations software.
6.2	Demonstrate ability to perform communications tasks using technology.
6.3	Utilize technology to perform job related tasks involving calculations.

Unit Title:	Suggested Length:
Stocks, Bonds, and Capital Gain/Loss	6 Weeks
Standard & Benchmarks:
Financial Services 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
Content:
Students will study stocks and bonds as investments in a global economy. They will also learn how to computer gains and losses on purchases and sales of investments.
Suggested Student Performance/Product:
Students will choose stocks to purchase and track for an extended period. Students will compute gains and losses at the end of the tracking period utilizing a spreadsheet analysis.
Suggested Resources:
Spreadsheet software, textbook, and newspaper
Pre-AP Extensions:

Unit Title:	Suggested Length:
Budgeting	3 Weeks
Standard & Benchmarks:
Financial Services 1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
Content:
Students will understand the importance of a budget and how to produce one for their personal use.
Suggested Student Performance/Product:
Students will produce a personal budget using a spreadsheet software.
Suggested Resources:
Spreadsheet software, textbook, and activity sheets
Pre-AP Extensions:

Unit Title:	Suggested Length:
Money Management-Financial Records	3 Weeks
Standard & Benchmarks:
Financial Services 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
Content:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of checkbook and payroll procedures.
Suggested Student Performance/Product:
Students will complete a checkbook simulation, payroll register on a spreadsheet, and have an understanding of pay stubs received from employers.
Suggested Resources:
Spreadsheet software, textbook, activity sheets, and 10-key calculators
Pre-AP Extensions:

Unit Title:	Suggested Length:
Money Management-Income Tax	2 Weeks
Standard & Benchmarks:
Financial Services 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
Content:
Students will understand their rights and responsibilities as a taxpayer and learn to prepare a 1040A and 1040 tax forms.
Suggested Student Performance/Product:
Students will prepare 1040A and 1040 tax forms using their own W-2’s, if available, or provided W-2’s.
Suggested Resources:
Textbook, Activity Sheets, Federal Tax Forms, and 10-key calculators
Pre-AP Extensions:

Unit Title:	Suggested Length:
Risk Management	2 Weeks
Standard & Benchmarks:
Financial Services 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
Content:
Students will understand the importance of risk management and how to purchase various types of insurance.
Suggested Student Performance/Product:
Students will complete internet research comparing types of insurance to find the best company, options, and cost.
Suggested Resources:
Textbook, Internet, and Videos
Pre-AP Extensions:

Standard 1: Use principles of planning, management, and organization.
1.1	Analyze methods to organize, plan, and manage resources and time effectively.
Standard 2: Demonstrate knowledge of leadership.
2.1	Participate in a business student organization.
2.2	Demonstrate knowledge of the business student organization’s purpose and mission.

Standard 2: Demonstrate knowledge of leadership.
2.4	Demonstrate leadership skills in classroom activities.
Standard 3: Identify, plan, and prepare for a future career.
3.1	Analyze personal skills, interests, and abilities related to career planning.
3.2	Research a specific career for information on education, training, job outlook, etc.
3.3	Develop a portfolio of work created for seeking employment.
3.4	Prepare a budget utilizing the anticipated income for a person working in a specified career.

Standard 4: Demonstrate knowledge of finance and commerce in global economy.
4.3	Utilize technology to perform duties necessary to conduct business transactions.
4.4	Utilize basic skills to calculate information on spreadsheets.
4.5	Recognize how knowledge of financial services is an integral part of the global market.
Standard 5: Apply professional customer service and communication skills.
5.1	Demonstrate proper written and verbal communication skills.
5.2	Utilize appropriate customer service and communication skills.