Credit History and Equal Opportunity Lesson for Grades 9-12
In this lesson, students first learn how credit history and credit scores are determined. Then, to better understand the protections of the Equal Credit Opportunities Act, they participate in a card-sorting activity where they evaluate creditworthiness based on borrower characteristics, determine which characteristics may be legally considered, and sort the applicants from most likely to least likely to get a loan. Next, they examine a primary source document to see how information that can be legally used to evaluate credit changed with the act. In an optional extension activity, students sort cards again to match primary borrowers with cosigners. They then learn about the pros and cons of cosigning.
Awards
This lesson received the 2020 Curriculum Gold Award of Excellence from the National Association of Economic Educators.
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