This project would provide 30 high school students with the Budget Challenge program in Bellevue, WA. High school students are well on their way to entering the real world - but many are ill-equipped to manage their future financial decisions and opportunities. The JA Budget Challenge will help students build a foundation for making intelligent, lifelong, personal finance decisions. They also get a better understanding of the practical application of math to real life situations.
Our country and our world recently experienced one of the worst financial crises in history. Individuals were ill-equipped to make good financial choices. The JA Budget Challenge is a program that equips young people with the crucial skills to have a healthy financial future. Students need to understand the difference between debit & credit, budgeting for savings, investing in the stock market, and planning for retirement. Budget Challenge provides them with these real world experiences.
This simulation allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of personal finance. Students assume a life situation: age, marital status, income & kids! They create & maintain a budget based on net monthly income & make decisions like buying a home, car, & making credit payments. Students walk away from the Challenge saying, "Now I understand why education is important. If you have a good education, you can get a better job so you can afford the things you need, and buy the things you want.
It's been proven that students who receive JA six times during their school career are 90% more likely to graduate from high school. The goal of our project will be for youth to develop attitudes aligned with high school graduation and 21st century skills that prepare them for success. In addition, JA programs improve student academic performance and achievement leading to increased graduation rates.
