A team at NGPF is diligently scouring thousands of high school course catalogs this summer to answer the question, “Who has access to a personal finance course?” Look for our research results later this summer. I think that course descriptions are telling in that demonstrate 1) the topics covered in the course and 2) how the instructor is marketing the course to students. Here are 5 of the more dynamic personal finance course descriptions that our crack research team identified:

Littleton High School (Littleton, Colorado)

• Personal Finance Course Description: Do you know what skills you will need to financially navigate the next five years of your life? Are you constantly wondering where your money went and why you don’t have enough? This course is a MUST before you graduate and gain financial independence from your parents. 84 percent of 18 – 22 year-olds admit that they wish they had gotten more financial management education in high school before they were personally responsible for their own money management (Credit.com, 2013). In fact, 7.2 percent of students drop out of college because of debt or financial pressures before graduating, leaving them with all the debt and stress, but no college degree. Laying a strong financial foundation gives you the opportunity to someday have the home, cars and lifestyle you dream about. Personal Finance is designed to develop your knowledge of financial management through hands-on training in financial goals and budgeting. You will develop tools for financial success, saving, investment and credit. Highly recommended for seniors!

Franklin High School (Franklin, Massachusetts)

• My Money, My Life course description: The choices you make when dealing with financial situations such as applying for student loads, credit cards, buying a car or paying rent have a major impact on choices you make throughout your life. This course introduces students to the management of personal and family resources to achieve personal goals and financial literacy to become more financially independent. The course teaches economic and decision-making concepts of saving, spending, and investing. Course content provides opportunities for students to explore consumer behavior, laws and legislation, consumer protection, consumer rights and responsibilities, consumer decision making, advertising and promotional techniques, individual and family money management, banking services, use of credit, and careers in providing financial services to individuals and families.

Bristol Eastern High School (Bristol, Connecticut)

• Personal Finance and Investment course description: Paper or plastic? Cash or credit? You’re the BOSS! Learn to take charge of your personal finances instead of letting your money control you. Students will learn to set goals, perform mathematical calculations, and make responsible decisions regarding money management and investment strategies to achieve financial independence. Topics will include budgeting, banking, consumer spending, credit and installment loans, payroll and taxes, purchasing/leasing cars, real estate ownership, insurance, investing in stocks, bonds and mutual funds, and portfolio management.

William Floyd High School (Mastic Beach, New York)

• Personal Finance course description: This course is a must have for all students! Imagine someone gave you $500…would you throw it away? Millions of people throw away their money by not managing their money properly! Learn how to spend wisely and make your money grow! You will learn how to manage your bank accounts, credit cards and even how to buy car insurance! You will also learn how prices are set and tricks stores may use to get you to spend more money! Don’t miss the chance to financially secure your future!

Randolph UHSD #2 (Randolph, Vermont)

• Financial Literacy course description: Did you know that in 2015, the average American household had $129,579 of debt — $15,355 of it on credit cards? Get the information and skills you will need to buck this trend and enter the infamous “real world” as an informed consumer! Ideal for 3rd or 4th year math students, Financial Literacy applies Algebra 1 concepts in practical business and personal finance contexts. In this course we will take an in-depth look at the math of banking, the stock market, business management, credit cards and loans, taxes, and planning for your financial future. Key math topics addressed include proportional reasoning, linear and exponential functions, creating and interpreting graphs, regressions, and measures of central tendency. If you’re looking to polish up your math skills and have a financial leg up when you leave high school, this is the course for you!

If you like your course description, please sent it along and I will be sure to append it to this blog post!

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

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