Goochland High School was awarded “Blue Star School” status for its exceptional performance on the W!SE Financial Literacy Certification test in 2016. The “Blue Star School” distinction is limited only to schools in which over 75% of students pass the W!SE assessment with an average score of over 80%.
The W!SE assessment is a cumulative test administered to all students as part of the Virginia graduation requirement to successfully complete a course in financial literacy that began with the class of 2015. Only 283 high schools nationwide achieved Blue Star status, with only half of Virginia high schools achieving the distinction. Goochland High Economics and Personal Finance teacher Mr. Joe Fowler has led GHS to Blue Star Status, and has also been recognized as a W!SE Gold Star teacher.
“Regardless of the path our graduates take after GHS, they are all going to need to be able to manage checking account, credit, and insurance, as well as budget for future needs and goals”, says Mr. Fowler. “The skills they gain through Economics and Personal Finance will be skills that they use every day as adults”.
The requirement that all Virginia high school graduates pass Economics and Personal Finance was implemented in 2009 by the Virginia General Assembly and Board of Education to enhance student preparation for the realities of the 21st century economy.