Idaho Social Studies 9-12.EC.19
The Standard
Research and report on factors that affect creditworthiness and credit scores.
Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · Personal Finance
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students research how payment history, credit use, account age, and new applications affect credit scores. They report what they find with sources and explain how income and existing debt may affect a lender's decision.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain why late payments and high card balances may lower a score. They can calculate that a $900 balance on a $1,000 limit uses 90% of available credit. They cite a source for their claims.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think a higher income raises a credit score or that carrying a balance helps build credit. They may also think checking their own score has the same effect as applying for new credit.
How to Assess It
- Give students the CFPB page "What is a credit score?" and a card profile: $900 owed on a $1,000 limit, with two late payments. Ask for a three-sentence report that calculates credit use, explains two score factors, and cites the page.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs mock credit reports with different payment histories and card limits; have them highlight score factors and compare the applicants.
Ask, "Does a higher salary automatically raise your credit score?" Have students write an answer backed by a CFPB source.
Play a card sort with late payment, higher salary, high card balance, and hard inquiry under "score factor" or "other lender check."
Use a sample apartment application to compare a renter's credit report with their pay stubs and list what each tells a landlord.
Free download
Printable 9-12.EC.19 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 9-12.EC.19, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- 9-12.EC.17
Research and analyze information on credit options available to consumers.
- 6-9.WG.3.4
Analyze current economic issues using a variety of sources representing multiple perspectives.
- 9-12.US2.47
Evaluate the causes and consequences of the 2008 financial crisis and Great Recession.
- 9-12.EC.24
Identify and evaluate modern consumer skills, tools, and practices.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson