Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Course Title:	Introduction to Finance
Course Type:	Orientation/Exploratory
Career Cluster:	Finance

Secondary – Middle School	
Course Number	8540350	
CIP Number	148540350M	
Grade Level	6-8	
Course Length	Semester	
Teacher Certification	Refer to the Course Structure section.	
CTSO	FBLA, BPA, DECA	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose 

The purpose of this course is to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals and to provide information regarding careers in the Finance career cluster.  The content includes but is not limited to instruction in elements of the financial industry:  planning; management; finance; economics; technical and production skills; underlying principles of technology; labor issues; community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues; risk management liability; and health, life, and disability insurance.  The path begins with an overview of globalization, including world factors pushing organizations to expand into other markets in order to remain viable.  Students explore cultural and political differences that affect organizational operations and decision making. Reinforcement of academic skills occurs through classroom instruction and applied laboratory procedures.

Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course content and in accordance with current practices.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Course Structure

The length of this course is one semester. It may be offered for two semesters when appropriate. When offered for one semester, it is recommended that it be at the exploratory level and more in-depth when offered for two semesters. 

To teach the course listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.

The following table illustrates the course structure:

Course Number	Course Title	Teacher Certification	Length	
8540350	Introduction to Finance	BUS ED 1 @2
MKTG 1 @2
TC COOP ED @7
VOE @7	Semester	

Standards

After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the Securities and Investments career pathway.
02.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the Business Finance career pathway.
03.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the Banking Services career pathway.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the Insurance career pathway.
05.0	Apply leadership and communication skills.
06.0	Describe how information technology is used in the Finance career cluster.
07.0	Use information technology tools.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 		Introduction to Finance 
Course Number: 	8540350
Course Length:	Semester

Course Description:

Beginning with a broad overview of the Finance career cluster, students are introduced to the terminology, careers, history, required skills, and technologies associated with each pathway in the Finance career cluster.  Additionally, they will be provided with opportunities to acquire and demonstrate beginning leadership skills.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
01.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the Securities and Investments career pathway.  The student will be able to: 	
01.01	Define and use proper terminology associated with the Securities and Investments career pathway. 	
01.02	Describe some of the careers available in the Securities and Investments career pathway. 	
01.03	Identify common characteristics of the careers in the Securities and Investments career pathway.	
01.04	Research the history of the Securities and Investments career pathway and describe how the associated careers have evolved and impacted society. 	
01.05	Identify skills required to successfully enter any career in the Securities and Investments career pathway.	
01.06	Describe technologies associated in careers within the Securities and Investments career pathway.	
02.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the Business Finance career pathway.  The student will be able to:	
02.01	Define and use proper terminology associated with the Business Finance career pathway. 	
02.02	Describe some of the careers available in the Business Finance career pathway. 	
02.03	Identify common characteristics of the careers in the Business Finance career pathway.	
02.04	Research the history of the Business Finance career pathway and describe how the careers have evolved and impacted society. 	
02.05	Identify skills required to successfully enter any career in the Business Finance career pathway.	
02.06	Describe technologies associated in careers within the Business Finance career pathway.	
03.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the Banking Services career pathway.  The student will be able to:	
03.01	Define and use proper terminology associated with the Banking Services career pathway. 	
03.02	Describe some of the careers available in the Banking Services career pathway. 	
03.03	Identify common characteristics of the careers in the Banking Services career pathway.	
03.04	Research the history of the Banking Services career pathway and describe how the careers have evolved and impacted society. 	
03.05	Identify skills required to successfully enter any career in the Banking Services career pathway.	
03.06	Describe technologies associated in careers within the Banking Services career pathway.	
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the Insurance career pathway.  The student will be able to:	
04.01	Define and use proper terminology associated with the Insurance career pathway. 	
04.02	Describe some of the careers available in the Insurance career pathway. 	
04.03	Identify common characteristics of the careers in the Insurance career pathway.	
04.04	Research the history of the Insurance career pathway and describe how the careers have evolved and impacted society. 	
04.05	Identify skills required to successfully enter any career in the Insurance career pathway.	
04.06	Describe technologies associated in careers within the Insurance career pathway.	
05.0	Apply leadership and communication skills.  The student will be able to:	
05.01	Discuss the establishment and history of the FBLA and BPA organization. 	
05.02	Identify the characteristics and responsibilities of organizational leaders. 	
05.03	Demonstrate parliamentary procedure skills during a meeting.	
05.04	Participate on a committee which has an assigned task and report to the class. 	
05.05	Demonstrate effective communication skills through delivery of a speech, a slide presentation, or conducting a demonstration. 	
05.06	Use a computer to assist in the completion of a project related to the Finance career cluster.	
06.0	Describe how information technology is used in the Finance career cluster.  The student will be able to: 	
06.01	Identify information technology (IT) careers in the Finance career cluster, including the responsibilities, tasks and skills they require.	
06.02	Relate information technology project management concepts and terms to careers in the Finance career cluster.	
06.03	Manage information technology components typically used in professions of the Finance career cluster.	
06.04	Identify security-related ethical and legal IT issues faced by professionals in the Finance career cluster.	
07.0	Use information technology tools.  The student will be able to:	
07.01	Identify the functions of web browsers, and use them to access the World Wide Web and other computer resources typically used in the Finance career cluster. 	
07.02	Use e-mail clients to send simple messages and files to other Internet users.	
07.03	Demonstrate ways to communicate effectively using Internet technology.	
07.04	Use different types of web search engines effectively to locate information relevant to the Finance career cluster.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Florida Standards for English Language Development (ELD)
English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. ELD.K12.ELL.SI.1

English Language Development (ELD) Standards Special Notes:
Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.  For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success. The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL’s need for communication and social skills. For additional information on the development and implementation of the ELD standards, please contact the Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition at sala@fldoe.org.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Business Professional of America (BPA) and DECA are the co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills.  Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered.  

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access.  Accommodations change the way the student is instructed.  Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems.  Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

In addition to accommodations, some secondary students with disabilities (students with an IEP served in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)) will need modifications to meet their needs.  Modifications change the outcomes or what the student is expected to learn, e.g., modifying the curriculum of a secondary career and technical education course.  Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.