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Economics and Personal Finance

a new Graduation Requirement for the Class of 2015 

The Virginia Board of Education has added a new requirement for high school graduation. Students who enter 9th grade in 2011-2012 and beyond must successfully complete a 1-credit course in Economics and Personal Finance.  In Loudoun County, students are able to fulfill this requirement between the sophomore year and the completion of the senior year.

LCPS offers a 0.5-credit, semester course in Personal Finance and a 0.5-credit, semester course in Economics. Students must complete both 0.5-credit courses before their expected graduation date.  Alternatively, students may take Personal Finance for a semester, and then take AP Economics as a full-year course during their junior or senior years. If students choose this AP option, they MUST complete a semester of Personal Finance, and a full year of ap Economics (Micro and Macro). 

Personal Finance

Grades:  11 - 12     Prerequisite:  none     Credit:  1/2 

Students learn how to navigate the financial decisions they must face and to make informed decisions related to career exploration, budgeting, banking, credit, insurance, spending, taxes, saving, investing, buying/leasing a vehicle, living independently, and inheritance. Development of financial literacy skills and an understanding of economic principles provide the basis for responsible citizenship and career success. In addition to developing personal finance skills, students also study basic occupational skills and concepts in preparation for entry-level employment in the field of finance. The course incorporates all economic and financial literacy objectives included in the Code of Virginia §22.1-200-03B. This semester course is a graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2015.