Grades 9 to 12

Other Pennsylvania Personal Finance sets

Personal Finance Fundamentals17.1

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    Financial goal setting and decision making

    1. A

      Determine the financial impact of various long-term goals (e.g., lifestyle, family, education).17.1.9-12.A

    2. B

      Apply a systematic decisionmaking process, including opportunity costs, to setting and achieving financial goals.17.1.9-12.B

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    Financial mindset and behaviors 

    1. C

      Analyze the impact of various factors on a person's financial mindset and decisions.17.1.9-12.C

    2. D

      Evaluate strategies for dealing with behavioral biases and other obstacles to managing personal finances.17.1.9-12.D

    3. E

      Assess the value of sharing financial goals and information with others.17.1.9-12.E

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    Financial services 

    1. F

      Compare various financial service providers (e.g., banks, credit unions, check cashers, brokerage firms) and the types of accounts and services each provides.17.1.9-12.F

    2. G

      Communicate the process of opening financial accounts and the factors to consider when selecting financial institutions and professionals. 17.1.9-12.G

    3. H

      Evaluate the use of financial technology to access financial services and make financial decisions.17.1.9-12.H

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    Financial record keeping

    1. I

      Develop a system for documenting and organizing personal financial records, both paper and electronic.17.1.9-12.I

    2. J

      Explain the financial implications of wills, powers of attorney, and naming beneficiaries for various accounts.17.1.9-12.J

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    Consumer protection

    1. K

      Explain the role of various state and federal financial regulators and consumer protection agencies.17.1.9-12.K

    2. L

      Describe the issues addressed by various laws and regulations that impact or safeguard a person's finances.17.1.9-12.L

Income17.2

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    Sources of income

    1. A

      Explain various types of income (e.g., earned, unearned, passive, active) and their sources (e.g., work, rentals, investments, government programs).17.2.9-12.A

    2. B

      Describe sources of retirement income and how they relate to individual investment choices, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and government programs17.2.9-12.B

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    Factors influencing income

    1. C

      Use data to support an individual's decision to obtain or forgo post-secondary education based on the associated costs and anticipated future income.17.2.9-12.C

    2. D

      Research options to pay for education and training, ways to reduce the total cost, and steps needed to obtain financial aid.17.2.9-12.D

    3. E

      Evaluate the impacts of technology, labor markets, and economic conditions and trends on a person's employment potential.17.2.9-12.E

    4. F

      Explain the impact of employee benefits (e.g., health insurance, retirement savings plans, education reimbursement programs) on an individual's finances. 17.2.9-12.F

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    Self-employment and supplemental income

    1. G

      Analyze the financial impact of a person's decision to own a business, work as an independent contractor, or be employed.17.2.9-12.G

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    Income and payroll taxes 

    1. H

      Calculate the impact of taxes and payroll deductions on income.17.2.9-12.H

    2. I

      Complete various federal, state, and local tax forms.17.2.9-12.I

Spending17.3

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    Spending decisions

    1. A

      Develop a process for making informed spending decisions, including factors to consider (e.g., product features, price, durability, environmental or societal impact, reliability of information).17.3.9-12.A

    2. B

      Compare ways people can lower the price they pay for goods and services (e.g., online tools, discount retailers, negotiating, secondhand items).17.3.9-12.B

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    Developing a budget

    1. C

      Develop a personal approach to keeping track of income and spending.17.3.9-12.C

    2. D

      Evaluate various budgeting approaches (e.g., 50-30-20, zero-based) and methods (e.g., envelope system, spreadsheets, online tools).17.3.9-12.D

    3. E

      Create a personal budget to allocate current or future income, including estimates for fixed and variable expenses.17.3.9-12.E

    4. F

      Identify methods for adjusting a budget for unexpected expenses or loss of income.17.3.9-12.F

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    Payment methods

    1. G

      Compare the effects of using various payment methods when making purchases. 17.3.9-12.G

    2. H

      Compare various approaches to paying bills, including making automated payments and ensuring bills are paid on time.17.3.9-12.H

    3. I

      Describe the impact of technology on payment methods and how it influences spending. 17.3.9-12.I

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    Major life purchases

    1. J

      Analyze a housing decision, including comparing renting and buying, upfront and ongoing costs, and the process of obtaining a mortgage or a lease.17.3.9-12.J

    2. K

      Justify the purchase or lease of a vehicle and the alternatives considered (e.g., new versus used, total cost of ownership or use).17.3.9-12.K

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    Sales and Property Taxes

    1. L

      Analyze the impact of paying sales, excise, and property taxes on financial decisions. 17.3.9-12.L

    2. M

      Justify a decision to participate in or forgo a fundraising effort based on the organization and cause.17.3.9-12.M

Saving and Investing17.4

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    Asset building

    1. A

      Calculate a person's net worth given their assets and liabilities.17.4.9-12.A

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    Saving

    1. B

      Develop a savings plan for accomplishing personal shortand long-term financial goals. 17.4.9-12.B

    2. C

      Compare the features of various savings vehicles (e.g., savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts) and the interest rates offered by several institutions.17.4.9-12.C

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    Investing

    1. D

      Explain factors that contribute to rates of return for various investments, including risk, inflation, and taxes.17.4.9-12.D

    2. E

      Explain the similarities and differences between stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds, and the factors that influence price fluctuations for each.17.4.9-12.E

    3. F

      Describe factors to consider when selecting sources of investment advice and trading methods (e.g., online trading platforms, financial advisors, robo-advisors).17.4.9-12.F

    4. G

      Explain how popular benchmark indices are used.17.4.9-12.G

    5. H

      Recommend an investment portfolio diversified to meet specific goals, including purpose, starting age, time horizon, and tolerance for risk.17.4.9-12.H

    6. I

      Compare retirement-specific investment options, including employer-sponsored plans, Roth and traditional individual retirement accounts, and accounts available to people who are self-employed.17.4.9-12.I

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    Investing risk tolerance

    1. J

      Analyze personal attitudes towards risk and how these might impact future investment decisions and outcomes.17.4.9-12.J

    2. K

      Describe methods to avoid or counteract the potentially negative impacts of behavioral biases on investment decisions.17.4.9-12.K

Risk and Insurance17.5

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    Risk identification and management

    1. A

      Evaluate a person's potential for financial risk (e.g., loss of personal property,17.5.9-12.A

    2. B

      Critique approaches to avoiding, reducing, retaining, and transferring risk given a particular scenario.17.5.9-12.B

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    Insurance

    1. C

      Formulate insurance recommendations based on individual needs, situations, and preferences, including but not limited to automotive, homeowners, renters, health, life, and disability, as justified. 17.5.9-12.C

    2. D

      Use information from various sources to compare insurance providers, plans, and prices.17.5.9-12.D

    3. E

      Formulate a process of comparing insurance products, determining out-of-pocket costs, and filing claims.17.5.9-12.E

    4. F

      Describe circumstances in which a person may be required to show proof of insurance or obtain a minimum amount of coverage. 17.5.9-12.F

    5. G

      Evaluate the impact of public insurance programs for individuals facing financial hardship (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, and unemployment).17.5.9-12.G

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    Financial fraud and identity theft 

    1. H

      Analyze trends in financial fraud and strategies to avoid becoming a victim.17.5.9-12.H

    2. I

      Research the agencies individuals can contact and steps they can take to address financial fraud and scams, including identity theft.17.5.9-12.I

Credit17.6

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    Credit use and benefits

    1. A

      Evaluate pathways to obtaining credit and what lenders look for in a borrower (e.g., character, capacity, capital, collateral).17.6.9-12.A

    2. B

      Describe how credit reports and scores are determined, used, and improved.17.6.9-12.B

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    Types of credit

    1. C

      Compare various forms of credit and how each is used (e.g., secured and unsecured loans, installment and revolving credit, service credit).17.6.9-12.C

    2. D

      Analyze the use of loans to finance higher education and home purchases, how they are obtained, and options for paying them back.17.6.9-12.D

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    Costs of credit

    1. E

      Calculate the total cost of credit given a variety of situations (e.g., making minimum payments, paying fees, using alternative financial service providers).17.6.9-12.E

    2. F

      Describe the consequences of failing to repay debts and sources of debt management assistance.17.6.9-12.F

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    Credit rights and responsibilities

    1. G

      Evaluate various rights and laws related to credit and their impact on consumers.17.6.9-12.G

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12
Where can I read the official document?
Academic Standards for Personal Finance Grades K-12