HalifaxTalk.com

[Joe]

Suggested Halifax County Schools
Personal Finance Curriculum

One semester class required for graduation taught to 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students covering the following:

• Investments
• Banking
• Credit
• Savings
• Consumer skills
• Insurance
• Taxes
• Buying a house and car
• Budgeting


Jumpstart Coalition 2006
Survey of High School Students

• Average score for Virginia students on the Jumpstart Coalition Survey of Financial Literacy is 55%.
• Only 5.2% of Virginia students scored a C or better on the Jumpstart Coalition Survey of Financial Literacy.
• Conversely, 94% of Virginia students achieved a score of D or lower on the 2006 Jumpstart Coalition Survey of Financial Literacy.

Visa 2005 Survey
of High School Parents

• 74% of parents ranked developing good personal financial skills as a concern for their children’s futures.
• 70% of parents surveyed said their child has not had any formal training in money management.
• 76% said that schools should be required to teach money management skills.

Hartford Financial Services
2007 Survey of College Students

• Less than one-quarter of students say they are prepared to deal with financial challenges after graduation.
• 76% wish they had more help preparing for their financial future
• Half of students surveyed say that parents teach them about financial matters.

Additional Compelling Statistics

• 75% of students admit to making financial mistakes in college
• 52% of Americans do not review their credit report yearly
• 36% of Americans do not have a budget
• 63% of college students acquired a credit card before the age of 19.
• 53% of college students who have a credit card say that they did not receive appropriate education on the use of a credit card

Current Reality

• Financial literacy objectives are assigned to a variety of middle and high school courses.
• Financial Literacy objectives are covered in regards to their relationship to designated course objectives.
• Financial Literacy objectives are not the focus of instruction.

The Solution

• Teach financial literacy objectives in a comprehensive course.
• Make financial literacy objectives the focus of instruction.
• Ensure that every child receives the financial education they need in order to be a contributing member of society.
• Require a course in Personal Finance for every student in Halifax County as a requirement to graduate.

Plan In action

• Salem already has a successful curriculum we can mirror.
• Institute a study as to how and when we can implement a course for Halifax

[wildhandyman]

Joe, if you manage to get a Financial Literacy course taught in the county High School(s), and do nothing else in your tenure on the board, your service will not have been in vain. With the plethora of Payday Loan establishments popping up in our area it is apparent that the graduates of the government school system have absolutely no clue how to handle money.

Go get 'em, Joe!
_________________
_________________
I think therefore I am Conservative.
Don't let your brain outrun your Common Sense.
All the government has to offer is what they take from you.

[Big E]

I hope this will become part of the statewide curriculum . It certainly is a standard of learning. You could call it " Living in the Real World."
I'm glad somebody is paying attention to the real needs of our graduates.
_________________
“People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” - Roger Hornsby.

[millworker]

This may be something that will actually help young folks. Wonder why every generation has to reinvent the wheel?
_________________
The lord gives, government taxes it away.

[AndyR]

That looks like a great plan, Joe. Thanks for keeping us informed.
_________________
the arts are expendable.... what we really need is more bombs!!! What will be expendable next? Libraries? Public schools?

[johnny reb]

Economics should already cover most of this. We do not need more "required" classes, with SOL' s etc etc. I am really tired of someone wanting to change things and the first thing they do is "add somthing new.

If this class is added as a requirement, then another requirement should be dropped. One reason kids dislike school so much is the amount of required classes they have to take that does not have revelance to what they want to do.

I recommend to all school board members, go in and sub for a teacher the entire day and then see how you think about things. But most of you will not do this or will think it is beneath you. I think Devin an Stuart would be open to the idea.
_________________
Sic Semper Tyrannis

[AndyR]

[dtalbott]

[johnny reb]

I have no problem with them offering the class, if they reduce another requirement. Most kids will realize that this is not an EOC or SOL class, and do the bare minimum to get by it. In the record keeping class they use to offer all these topics were covered as well as a six week section of taxes this class was offered up till 1996.
It was my understanding it had to be cut, when alot of other vocational classes were cut, due to time demands on SOL's, instructional time etc, etc.
The board needs to realize and fight the state and the feds on SOL's and NCLB, even if it means loosing some fed money and making cut backs. These test do not make better students, they make good test takers.
_________________
Sic Semper Tyrannis

[AndyR]

Since you have all the answers on how to fix education why don't you run for school board or at least get a job in the system so we can all benefit from your knowledge?
_________________
the arts are expendable.... what we really need is more bombs!!! What will be expendable next? Libraries? Public schools?

[johnny reb]

I am serioulsy thinking about running for school board, very serious!
I worked in the system, you cannot fix things from the inside, too many road blocks in the way, from admin at central office to the admin at the schools. Bad part is that I would be like McCain and tell the truth, and alot of folks don't want to hear the truth. Like that Col. in "A Few Good Men", he said " You cnn't handle the truth!"
_________________
Sic Semper Tyrannis

[AndyR]

I can handle the truth. It's the hyperbole that makes my stomach churn.
_________________
the arts are expendable.... what we really need is more bombs!!! What will be expendable next? Libraries? Public schools?

[1093ras]

[wahoo]

Back to Finance Class...before we can teach money management, we have to teach or impress upon these kids some kind of work ethic. You have to make money before you can manage it. Most of the kids I teach are in for a real shock when they have to actually be held accountable for something.

The problem isn't what we teach, how long we teach, or really even teaching to a test. The problem is letting the "feelings" of students and parents run the schools.

Again, I look to the "progressives" and "liberals" who are trying to make stickers and candy the rewards of learning instead of personal, intellectual fullfillment. I got whacked on the hands with a ruler and learned not to disturb class. I got suspended for smoking and learned not to smoke at school.

Not to sound cliche, but DISCIPLINE is really the thing missing from school. Being unafraid of offending a parent, who is clueless as to their child's behavior problems, would be a nice start.

Course suggestions: "Public Behavior" "Personal Accountability" "Following Directions" "Realizing You Are A Kid" "Don't Be A Burden On Society"...

...then maybe we can teach Finance.
_________________
"Make it so!" Cpt. Jean-Luc Picard

I don't mind admitting my mistakes; I just think you should go first.

[KSNomore]

Excellent Idea, first students???? Board of Supervisors and the IDA...

Other question, where does the money come from to pay for this new class. It is a phenomenal idea, however, I believe Mr. Stapleton was concerned over the state approving it as a required and then where the money would come from....

I hope Mr. Gasperini continues to keep this at the top of his agenda.