Archive for February, 2012
Try This Challenge to Win $1000 For Your School!
Your school could have a chance at $1,000 when your students demonstrate smart financial know-how in the National Financial Capability Challenge between March 12 and April 13. Enroll at www.challenge.treas.gov.
The National Financial Capability Challenge encourages educators to teach high school students about the basics of personal finance so they can take control of their financial futures. The U.S. Department of the Treasury in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education offers comprehensive lesson plans and sample test questions in the Educator Toolkit.
“The Challenge has proven to be a very effective tool that fits well within our financial literacy program at Treynor Community Schools,” said Bob Mantell, financial literacy director at Treynor High School. “Last year, 102 of our students participated with 27 scoring in the top 20%.”
Money for Your School
If at least one student from your school scores in the top 20% nationally, your school will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of 30 cash prizes. Each winning school will earn $1,000 total for its financial literacy programs and scholarship fund. To be eligible, make sure your students authorize the release of their scores when they take the online test.
The drawing is open only to participating Iowa high schools and is sponsored by Iowa Student Loan®, the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Jump$tart, Junior Achievement of Central Iowa and the Iowa College Access Network.
Recognition for Student Knowledge
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Education recognizes participating schools by providing award certificates to educators and top-scoring students at each school. In addition, schools and states with the highest participation rates earn special distinction.
Flexible Lessons and Scheduling
Use your own curriculum or lessons provided by the Challenge organizers to teach personal finance know-how — one of the most important skills for your students’ futures. Then, have your students take the 30-minute online exam any time between March 12 and April 13.
Simple Signup
Just go to www.challenge.treas.gov to enroll as an educator and gain access to sample test questions, lesson plans and the online test.
All high school educators are encouraged to sign up to administer the Challenge to their students and to help spread the word to other high school educators in their area.
“The National Financial Capability Challenge was a great opportunity for students at Gilbert High School to demonstrate their knowledge of consumer economic principles,” said Betsy Ratashak, family and consumer sciences instructor at Gilbert High School. “We have participated in the Challenge twice, and students were proud of their ability to perform well on a standards-based national exam. It provided evidence of educational effectiveness to students, parents and administrators alike.”
