JA Economics for Success provides practical information about personal finance and the importance of identifying education and career goals based on a student’s skills, interests, and values. JA Economics for Success consists of six 45-minute lessons.
Following participation in the program, students will be able to explore their skills, interests, values, and the world of work to make informed education, career, and life decisions. The program also will expand their knowledge of personal finance—including smart budgeting, wise credit use, and minimizing financial risk—so they can apply strong financial management skills regardless of their income.
SESSION ONE: MIRROR, MIRROR
Students make choices to better understand the concept of self-knowledge—the awareness of their skills, interests, and values—as they consider education, careers, and other life choices.
The students will be able to:
- Use personal reflection to explain self-knowledge.
- Apply their skills, interests, and values to help determine a potential career path.
SESSION TWO: BE A SUCCESS
Students learn how to set goals for their financial future. They play the Be a Success Game to see the connection between personal finance, education, and careers.
The students will be able to:
- Identify the connection between goal-setting, personal finance, education, and career choices.
- Apply decision-making to education and career decisions.
SESSION THREE: KEEPING YOUR BALANCE
Students receive Occupation Cards and observe how different jobs provide different monthly salaries. Based on those monthly salaries, students evaluate the opportunity costs when making budget decisions.
The students will be able to:
- Recognize that a balanced budget is important for workers of all income levels.
- Differentiate between gross and net income.
SESSION FOUR: SAVVY SHOPPER
Students examine how consumers pay for goods and services. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using debit and credit cards.
The students will be able to:
- Identify the differences between debit and credit cards.
- Recognize the importance of taking personal responsibility for financial decisions.
SESSION FIVE: KEEPING SCORE
Students examine how a credit score is determined and learn about the positive and negative consequences of a credit report.
The students will be able to:
- Describe the favorable or unfavorable outcomes of a personal credit score.
- Explain actions that cause a credit score to go up or down.
SESSION SIX: WHAT’S THE RISK?
Students demonstrate that life involves risk and that insurance helps to reduce the financial consequences of loss or injury.
The students will be able to:
- Explain how insurance provides a method to minimize financial risk.
- Assess how personal responsibility plays a part in minimizing risk.
