KACTE Summer Conference 2024

Reality U brings a bit of “reality” to students through a 75-minute interactive and engaging personal finance simulation. And students are not the only ones involved! Volunteers from the community and business sector are invited in to run each booth, and the event is financially supported by local business and industry.

The simulation requires students to imagine their life as a 26-year-old and complete an online lifestyle survey. This information is entered into our trademarked software, along with their current GPA, to create a unique and individualized future scenario.

Each scenario includes the student’s monthly income, student loan information, as well as marital and family status. Students are given a checkbook register to track their monthly purchases from the 12 booths representing services and/or products that adults typically must purchase or consider each month. Sometimes they must return a “purchase” and make a different decision. The checkbook register can’t fall below zero!

This event actively engages students to help them understand the importance of how their performance in school today impacts their future. It also provides the community an opportunity to share in local students’ learning and developing an understanding of the world of work.