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Economics and Personal Finance

Program of Studies

Graduation Requirements

Virginia Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions

FCPS Key Points

Virginia Graduation Requirement for Economics and Personal Finance

1. Why is personal finance required for graduation?

Because of legislation passed by the 2010 General Assembly, one additional credit in economics and personal finance must be completed prior to graduation by students enrolled in grade 9 during the 2011-12 academic year. This additional course is required for the Virginia Standard, Standard Technical, Advanced Studies, and Advanced Technical High School Diplomas.

2. What steps have been taken by FCPS to meet this graduation requirement?

FCPS has developed a course entitled Economics and Personal Finance to meet the new state requirement which can be taken face-to-face or through the FCPS Online Campus; the online course is available this fall. In addition, two semester courses, AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, will meet the state diploma requirement. Further, FCPS is working with our local colleges and universities to seek dual enrollment options after school and during the
summer in another alternative effort to meet the requirement.

3. Is there an option to "test out" of this required course?

Discussion with VDOE regarding the waiver of this requirement or "test out" option have not, as yet, proved fruitful. We continue to explore options such as "credit by objective" where a student would be responsible for exhibiting mastery of the course content by passing "module" tests prior to instruction and engaging in instruction for modules not passed.

4. Are online courses still bound by seat time requirements?

Yes. The VDOE Standards of Accreditation (SOA) require that all courses (online or face-to face) be based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction.

5. Does the personal finance course meet the social studies requirement for standard or advanced diploma?

No. Economics and Personal Finance is a graduation requirement distinct from the social studies requirements for both the standard and advanced studies diploma. Note: For the standard diploma, FCPS requires 4 years of social studies while the state only requires 3.

6. What other options are being pursued with VDOE to meet this requirement?

Options being explored with the state include a) A waiver requesting that the TJ diploma be considered an advanced studies diploma with only 3 social studies credits and the Economics and Personal Finance class elective addition. (Note: TJ is already exempt from state guidelines for social studies courses which requires US/VA History, US/VA Government, and two courses in World History or Geography. The 4th social studies course at TJ is an elective); and b) a waiver to allow students to complete Economics and Personal Finance on a credit by objective basis as outlined above.