W. Va. Code R. agency 126, tit. 126, ser. 126-044D, app A
The new personal finance course graduation requirement becomes effective with the 2024-2025 freshman cohort. However, counties may have chosen to implement this requirement early.
Freshmen will not be eligible to take this new course prior to their 11th grade year. In the meantime, the following personal finance standards must be embedded into Civics and/or Dual Credit/AP Government and Politics to ensure every student receives personal finance instruction prior to graduation as required by W. Va. Code. The new standards for the course will be housed in W. Va. §126CSR44M, West Virginia College- and Career-Readiness Programs of Student/Standards for Career Technical Education (CTE course code 1451).
Personal Finance | |
1 | Investigate the cost of postsecondary education. * Determine the tuition and fees of several specific public and private two- and four-year institutions. * Examine room and board cost for students that live on campus. * Examine commuting costs for attending a local institution (gas, car maintenance, distance, time). * Compare textbook costs (e.g., used books, new books, digital rentals, online book stores, local bookstore, text loaning programs). * Determine personal expenses (e.g., hobbies, restaurants, entertainment, transportation, gas, bills, rent, insurance, cellphone). * Examine the net price of different postsecondary institutions utilizing the net price calculator required to be posted on all postsecondary institution's web pages. * Identify sources of financial aid. * Examine and understand financial aid terminology (e.g., Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Expected Family Contribution (EFC), grant, cost of attendance). * Explore the application process for student loan qualifications and the repayment process. |
2 | Evaluate income, lifestyle, and career opportunities based on education and financial aid decisions. * Differentiate the annual income of a college graduate compared to a high school graduate. * Differentiate between gross and net income (e.g., taxes, insurance, and pension plans). * Explore how earning a degree impacts lifestyle, lifelong earning potential, and personal wants vs. needs. * Investigate the consequences of personal choices in relation to finances. * Construct, utilize, and monitor a budget for a recent high school graduate. * Construct, utilize, and monitor a budget for a recent college graduate. * Compare and contrast the budgets of a high school graduate and a recent college graduate. * Explore how benefits packages, unions, and professional organizations impact lifestyle and career choices. |
3 | Examine the expectations and benefits of potential careers and their impact on lifelong earning potential. |
4 | Examine general workforce preparedness skills. * Develop a resume showing skills, experiences, and education that can be used when applying for a job, a scholarship, or college. * Participate in mock job interviews. * Identify workplace expectation, including prompt attendance, timelines, and efficiencies. |
5 | Examine the causes of bankruptcy and how to avoid them. |
6 | Complete federal and state income tax forms and examine other state and local taxes. |
7 | Examine the advantages and disadvantages of different types of consumer debt to make sound financial decisions (e.g., home loans, credit card debt, automobile loans, pay-day loans, and rent-to-own). |
8 | Develop the knowledge and practices of a savvy consumer who knows consumer rights and responsibilities, can identify and avoid fraudulent practices and guard against identify theft. |
9 | Utilize traditional and online banking services as well as examining fees, services and hidden costs of checking, savings, debit cards, Certificates of Deposit, etc. |
10 | Examine financial habits that promote economic security, stability and growth. * Investments (e.g., stocks, mutual funds, certificates of deposits, and commodity trading). * Insurance (e.g., life insurance, health insurance, automobile insurance, home and renters insurance, and retirement plans). |
W. Va. Code R. agency 126, tit. 126, ser. 126-044D, app A