This active, hands-on real-life simulation gives young people the opportunity to explore career opportunities, make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis and evaluate the choices they have made. Students also learn check writing and balancing, savings, budgeting and developing a spending plan. The program can be done in a one-day, three session format; three sessions, six sessions, or nine sessions.

Instructional Materials Available

Extension Educators in Consumer and Family Economics and Youth Development may be available to assist in teaching portions of this program. Fact sheets as well as an Instructor's Guide are included in the "Welcome to the Real World" materials. Schools will need to secure educational pads of checks from local banks. Cost of CD-ROM with reproducible masters (so that schools can do this on their own) is $20.

State Goals and Learning Standards

Goal # 5, 15