U.S Government is taught in conjunction with Personal Finance as a year-long course that offers an overview of the political system in the United States. Scholars examine the constitutional foundation of our government system and its development over time. Scholars analyze the increasingly important role of campaigns and elections in contemporary U.S. politics and how civil society and non-governmental entities, such as political parties, interest groups, and the media, influence policy-making. Scholars study how the institutions of the federal government---the Congress, the Presidency, and the courts operate, both in theory and in practice, and how these three branches interact. Students are expected to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise these rights and responsibilities in local, state, and national government. The reading of primary source documents is a key feature of United States Government Oklahoma Academic Standards.

 

Personal Finance aims to teach the ideas, concepts, and knowledge that enable scholars to implement personal financial decision-making skills. Scholars study how to become successful and knowledgeable consumers, savers, investors, credit users, money managers, participating workforce, and society members. Some specific topics include: earning an income, state and federal taxes, banking and financial services, balancing a checkbook, saving and investing, retirement planning, rights and responsibilities of buying or renting a home, and insurance and charitable giving.