MasterCard Blitzes St. Louis Schools With Education on Financial Responsibility

The program, called JA in a Day, is the first of its kind in the Midwest and will reach schools from East St. Louis to Jefferson County. The massive event comes at a time when children have more impact on the economy than ever before. According to a YouthPulse Study by National Harris Interactive, American kids, teen-agers and young adults (aged 8 to 21 years) have annual incomes totaling $211 billion - most of which they spend, rather than save. Junior Achievement research has shown that many teens would like to start their own businesses someday and one-quarter of teens believe they will be millionaires by the time they reach age 40. Traditionally, volunteers deliver the Junior Achievement curriculum in classrooms over a period of six to eight weeks. Todays massive event between Junior Achievement and MasterCard is an experiment designed to reach more students with a one-day, immersive experience on what JA calls the economics of life. The program will reach children in grades K-8, with curriculum tailored to their level of learning. Concepts taught by MasterCard volunteers will include business education, personal financial management, and success skills for the workplace. The JA in a Day initiative will offer programs from kindergarten through the eighth grade, from the introduction of the economic roles of individuals and families to personal economics lessons and the economic benefits of education.