Reality U
Imagine being able to see 10 years into the future. That’s just what teens get to do at Reality U, a fast-paced, hands-on financial literacy exercise.
Before attending Reality U, students complete a lifestyle survey where they describe their lives as 26-year-olds: their jobs, salaries, family, homes, even shopping habits and entertainment. CIS staff then compares their surveys with their current school performance and assigns fictional jobs, salaries and families.
Students are then challenged at Reality U to make ends meet using their salaries to purchase all the necessities of life: child care, transportation, groceries, homes, utilities, etc.; plus budget for fun things like vacations and entertainment.
Teens Need Financial Literacy
Consider these statistics:
According to a Jump$tart Coalition survey, high school students can correctly answer only 48 percent of questions about the basics of personal finance.
In a recent Schwab survey of teens, just 26 percent understood credit-card interest and fees; and only a third could read a bank statement, balance a checkbook and pay bills.
The number of 18 to 24-year-olds declaring bankruptcy increased 96% in 10 years. (Richmond Credit Abuse Resistant Education)
A Harris Interactive poll showed that 32 percent of college students believe they were not adequately prepared for managing their money on campus.
The average college senior graduates with $2,800 in credit card debt and $18,900 in student loans. (Nellie Mae)
Reality U Works
It’s the connection between current school performance and future success that makes Reality U work. Here’s what students say after attending a Reality U:
“I never thought life was that hard—now I know I need to be prepared.”
“I learned that having an education is more important that everything else. I also learned that I should make some changes in my school work. Working harder can make a difference for my future. My future in Reality U was not what I expected it to be … it is like a wakeup call.”
“Before Reality U I was thinking of dropping out….Reality U helped me to realize it takes a lot to live and I should stay in school.”
“I discovered that supporting a family is not that easy. Now I’m thinking I need to take hard classes for the next two years because I want to get a scholarship to go to college.”
Reality U Dates 2011-2012
10/18/11 Garden City High School in Garden City, KS
11/09/11 Capital City School in Topeka, KS
11/10/11 Hope Street Academy in Topeka, KS
11/17/11 Ottawa High School in Ottawa, KS
12/1/11 Schlagle High School in Kansas City, KS
12/2/11 J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, KS
12/6/11 Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS
12/8/11 Washington High School in Kansas City, KS
01/18/12 Highland Park High School in Topeka, KS
04/12/12 Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS
04/18/12 Highland Park High School in Topeka, KS
04/26/12 F.L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City, KS
05/03/12 J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, KS
05/04/12 J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, KS
More to come!
Get Involved
VOLUNTEER
Help teens make spending decisions on the necessities and luxuries they envision as part of their adult lifestyle. You will be provided detailed information and price sheets for your booth’s goods or services, so you can help the students decide how to spend their money. In fact, one student commented, “I like the fact that the volunteers just didn’t tell you what to do. They explained how things work.”
To volunteer at Reality U, email Ashley Ferguson or call our office at 785-856-5190.
SPONSOR REALITY U
Several sponsorship levels are available for the whole year and individual events. Sponsors are recognized at Reality U and in CIS materials such as the website, Reality U brochures, the CIS e-newsletter and other materials. Sponsors also have the opportunity to provide volunteers to work at Reality U.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Terry Leatherman.
Presenting Sponsor
