Local Objectives for Consumer Education

Unit 1, Economics and You (Weeks 1-2)

Students will be able to:

• Understand how an individual functions as a worker, consumer and citizen in both a national and global economy
• Understand how they function within the economic systems of capitalism, communism and socialism
• Understand supply and demand and how it effects their lives

Unit 2, Buying Unit (Weeks 3-5)

Students will be able to:

·        Understand the decision making process and how it affects consumer choices

·        Analyze advertising techniques with their personal buying decisions

·        Make educated decisions while working with salespeople

·        Understand the importance of a shopping list

·        Utilize the Internet to comparison shop

·        Understand how to read standards, labels, and brands    

Career Week /Interview Project (Week 6)

Students will be able to:

• Write a resume, cover letter, and thank-you letter
• Fill out a job application
• Develop and practice interviewing skills that will be implemented in future settings

Unit 3 Money Management (Weeks 7-9)

Students will be able to:

• Define and operate a spending plan
• Explain the function of credit
• Understand how to properly use credit
• Incorporate credit into their spending plan
• Learn how to protect against identity theft
• Learn how to find personal credit scores
• Understand the importance of credit ratings

Unit 4, Rights of the Consumer (Weeks 10-12)

Students will be able to:

• Understand how to enter into a legal contract
• Understand warranties, legal rights, and the obligations of being a consumer
• Identify the “Consumer Bill of Rights”
• Identify and utilize the governmental agencies set up to protect and aid a consumer
• Understand how to obtain legal advice
• Understand the process of litigation against a company
• Learn how to effectively complain to stand up for their own personal consumer rights
• Write a letter of complaint

Unit 5, Banking Services (Weeks 13-15)

Students will be able to:

• Explain the functions of money and of financial institutions
• Identify banking services
• Identify and understand different kinds of investments
• Open and operate a checking account
• Understand the organization of the Federal Reserve System

Unit 6, Insurance (Weeks 16-18)

Students will be able to:

• Understand how insurance works
• Understand risk
• Identify the different forms of Life, Health, Automobile, and Property Insurance
• Understand the Social Insurance System of the United States