Teaching mathematics associated with the repaying of loans has always been an awkward task--it seems superficially easy, but it contains pitfalls both for the learner and for the unwary teacher. This short article reviews some of the mathematics, and notes an interesting result.

To encourage individuals to enter and remain in the teaching profession, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program grants loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 for teachers in certain specialties, and up to $5,000 for other teachers who teach for five years in low-income schools and meet other requirements. This brochure provides information about how…

Becoming a teacher takes years of higher education and hard work. The financial and personal costs can be great. The good news is that there are more chances than ever for teachers-in-training and new teachers to reduce their financial burden. There are two main ways students can get financial aid: with loans and with grants. Many students take on…

ACT's annual Condition of STEM reports provide essential national data on student interest and achievement in STEM subjects. The latest report--"STEM Education in the U.S.: Where We Are and What We Can Do"--takes the data one step further by pairing the latest findings with promising practices aimed at improving STEM achievement and…

The four articles in this journal issue examine the pros and cons of the proposition that credit card rates are too high. In "How Congress and Consumers Will Crack the Credit Card Market," Congressman Charles E. Schumer argues that banks can get away with their excessive rates because of consumer misinformation and the unfair competitive edge held…

Presented is an interactive PASCAL computer program that computes the true mortgage interest rate. The half-interval technique, a method from numerical analysis, is incorporated into the program algorithm to approximate a solution of a continuous function on a closed interval. (JJK)

The rule of 78 is used by banks and loan companies to compute the amounts due when installment loans are paid early. Describes an unexpected case of negative amortization when the rule is applied. Presents an actual problem and discusses the case. (YP)

Discusses the mathematics involved in comparing the purchase of an automobile with cash versus with a loan. Investigates two scenarios: (1) if a loan is taken out and the cash price is invested at a fixed rate, and (2) if cash is paid and monthly payments are invested over the period of the loan. (MDH)

Part of a series of classroom aids designed for real estate instructors, this instructional packet was developed to help real estate students understand the rules, regulations, and laws governing home foreclosures under deeds of trust in Texas. Information on home foreclosures is presented, covering: (1) the three elements of a proper foreclosure;…

Intended to provide secondary students with information on the federal budget, this kit provides a teacher's guide, a test, a crossword puzzle, and a series of reproducible graphs and handouts focusing on budget deficits and the national debt. Study materials and graphics are based almost entirely on articles and graphics found in "U.S. News…

A mathematical model or project analysis that calculates the financial return from home ownership is described. This analysis illustrates topics such as compound interest, annuities, amortization schedules, internal rate of return, and other elements of school and college mathematics up through numerical analysis. (KR)

A survey of Rush Medical College (Illinois) alumni included questions concerning indebtedness and its perceived effect on professional and personal lives. Results show little effect on practice setting and family plans, but substantial reported impact on lifestyle. Specialization and debt change over time were also factors. (MSE)

This guide contains 15 lesson plans on financial topics for high school students. The lessons cover the following: (1) securities in the U.S. economy; (2) careers in finance; (3) commercial banking interest rates; (4) understanding financial statements; (5) newspaper stock tables; (6) financial institution operations; (7) foundation…

This instructor's manual contains activities for teaching money management, financial planning, and obtaining and using credit. It is designed for use in three to four periods in classes in prevocational education in South Carolina. The guide describes the activities, sets goals for student attainment, provides instructional objectives to meet the…

Presents two teaching ideas. The first helps students identify and correct their own mistakes. A checklist of common mistakes is filled out by students after quizzes and tests and examined for error patterns. The second develops the formula to determine the payments necessary to pay off a loan over a required period of time. (MDH)