Economics Plan for Success
Central High School
Mr. McWenie

Email: mmcwenie@phoenixunion.org        

StudentVue: https://studentvue.phoenixunion.org/ 

Course Overview
Every individual in society must successfully answer the same questions:
1. How do I satisfy my unlimited desires with my limited resources?
2. What choices do I make?
That's all economics really is, the study of how individuals like yourself and society as a whole answer these questions. It's about making decisions and the costs and benefits that go along with these decisions.
You will become more informed about economics and be able to analyze and evaluate the world from an economic perspective.

Key Concepts Learned in this Class

Concept 1: Basic Economics- Scarcity, Choice, Production Possibilities, Opportunity Cost, Economic Systems, Trade, Property Rights

Concept 2: Microeconomics- Supply and Demand, Types of Competition

Concept 3: Macroeconomics- Money, Taxation, Fiscal and Monetary Policy

Concept 4: Global Economics- Trade, Barriers to Trade, Exchange Rates

Concept 5: Personal Finance- Saving, Investing, Credit, Insurance

In this course you are expected to achieve an understanding of economics and free enterprise. All of you should strive to master at least 70% of the material. Settling for a "D" in the class is not enough. I want you to leave this class with an appreciation for economics in some small amount. Most of you are capable of mastering far more. If you are having difficulty with the material covered in class I strongly encourage you to come to me for help. That is my job. I can't do my job if you do not make yourself available for that help. So if you need help tell me! Together we can set up a plan to solve the situation.

I am available to help at the following times (Office Hours):
7:45-8:00 AM; Monday -Friday
3:00-3:30 PM; Monday- Friday

Advisory: T, W, Th, F
Lunchtime: Monday- Friday (usually)

Classroom Behavior and Rules

1. Students will arrive on time, ready to learn, with proper materials (pen or pencil, calculator, 3-ring 1” diameter notebook with 6 dividers, notebook paper).
2. Students will be in class for the entire class period unless there is an emergency.
3. Students will behave and act in a manner that is respectful of other persons, their possessions, and their opinions as well as follow all handbook and school rules. Any inappropriate behavior may result in referral and due process decided by the Dean of Students. 
4. Students will behave and act in a manner that encourages learning. Any student who is a disruption to the learning environment in the classroom will be removed until behavior is addressed either by me or the Dean and a behavior plan is formed.
5. Cheating in any fashion is not tolerated. This includes copying someone else’s assignments, tests, or turning in work completed by others.  Plagiarism, the stealing of someone else’s work and passing it off as your own is not only unethical, it is illegal! Copying material off of the internet and passing it off as your own is an example.  Any form of cheating is grounds for failing this course for the semester. 

Grading System: The grading scale will be:

Grade Weighting: The relative weight given to grading is:

Accommodations will be made for students on an individual basis according to their IEP or 504 Plans.

Assessment (Mastery Learning): Each student's grade will be determined by combining grades from homework, group and individual projects, in class assignments, and tests. For each unit of study (usually 2-3 weeks’ time) you will be given certain objectives which you must achieve which show that you have mastered the material taught. We will study a particular subject for 3-4 weeks and assessment of progress will occur throughout that unit. If you do not achieve mastery you will have the opportunity to make test corrections for ½ credit. In addition, each student will be required to keep a notebook containing all class assignments, notes, handouts, etc. Materials in these notebooks should be clearly organized with name, period, and date on ALL papers. Papers in the notebook will be placed in dated order. Notebooks will be collected periodically to be checked and graded. Notebooks should be three ring binders with 6 dividers with rings of 1to 1½ inches in diameter. Stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, or Staples carry these for 1-2 dollars.

Makeup Work: I strongly encourage you to hand your homework and other assignments in on time. I accept work that is late but the highest grade you can receive on late work is 70%. All makeup/ late work for the first term is due by the Monday before the end of the 1^st term. At the end of the semester all makeup/ late work is due 2 Mondays before senior exams.

Title I Program: Academic tutoring and test preparation is available to all students. Additional support for passing classes and graduating on time is the intent of these services. Support through Title I funding is available in the areas of: math, reading and English. If interested, please contact Principal John Biera or Assistant Principal for Instruction Michael Gard, for additional information at 602-764-7500.

Attendance: “Absent” is defined as nonattendance in an assigned class or activity for more than one-half of the period. (PUHSD Governing Board Policy J-1561 JHR). If you miss class (absent, brown slip, etc.) it is your responsibility to ask about any missed assignments and to make them up in the allowed time, i.e. according to school policy(1 day to make up for 1 day absent, 2 days for 2 days, etc.). The number one cause of students failing this class is poor attendance and the failure to make up missed work. Students with more than 10 absences almost always fail the class and those with less than 10 almost always pass the class! 

Tardy Policy: “Tardy” is defined as not being in the assigned class or activity when the tardy bell has finished ringing. (PUHSD Governing Board Policy J-1561 JHR) It is the student's responsibility to arrive at class on time, ready to learn. Late arriving students are disruptive to the smooth operation of our class. If tardies become a problem students can expect consequences.