Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Why Money Matters?
- What organizations are behind Why Money Matters?
- Why are Volunteers needed?
- Who typically volunteers?
- Who supports this effort?
- Who chooses the presentation topic? Where will I be asked to present? How long must my presentation last?
- Is this effort needed? What does the research tell us?
- How much notice will I be given before I am asked to present?
- Who provides the presentation materials?
- What information is requested from teachers prior to scheduling a speaker?
1. What is Why Money Matters?
Why Money Matters provides resources and improves communication on all things relating to personal financial education. Educators, professionals and volunteers, parents and students all have a place to learn at Why Money Matters:
For Educators –
Why Money Matters helps schools incorporate more economics and financial education into their classrooms and across the curriculum. We offer strategies, lesson plans, discussion boards, and other resources. For more in depth content training and resources, Why Money Matters will also offer links to regionally offered professional development opportunities for teachers.
For Professionals and Volunteers -
Why Money Matters represents an opportunity for true engagement in schools. Schools desire public/private partnerships and presentations to students; but are unsure how to make initial connections. People external to the education system are the content specialists and can work to keep teachers content knowledge current.
For Students and Parents -
For students, Why Money Matters offers a menu of interesting games, competitions and programs aimed at getting students involved in and excited about their own economic future. The Stock Market Game (SMG) and Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) are just two examples of programs available.
For parents, Why Money Matters offers a place to visit for ideas on how to teach children the fundamentals of money management. It is also a safe and secure destination that parents can send their children to play educational games. Parents are welcome to register as a home school teacher and gain access to all the same resources offered to educators.
2. What organizations are behind Why Money Matters?
Why Money Matters is maintained by the Economics Center for Education & Research, a not for profit organization at the University of Cincinnati. For more information, go to www.economicscenter.org. For a full list of partners, choose the Our partners link above.
3. Why are Volunteers needed?
The Economic Recession of 2009 clearly demonstrated a nationwide lack of financial education knowledge. High school students have consistently failed national tests on personal finance topics and the recent trend is scoring lower, not higher. We need your involvement to help mold our nation’s future leaders.
Teachers are asking for help
Teachers are looking for professionals to visit their classroom and speak to students on personal finance topics. In a recent survey of teachers, 100% said they would look to utilize speakers in their classrooms if a simple request system was made available. They said they would each like 2 or 3 speakers per semester.
An easy way to “Give Back”
We’re looking for your stories of success, of failure, general or specific knowledge of personal finance topics to help engage students and make learning real. Your presence in the classroom will make the teacher more comfortable and allow the student to meet a professional face in their community.
Why Money Matters can help get you ready for a great classroom experience with some simple tips on what to do (or not to do) in the classroom. Many of our volunteers were hesitant to commit because they had not been in any school for over 20 years. It doesn’t matter! Students are the same today as they were then, they just have better technology.
You choose Where / When / What / and How long
Why Money Matters recognizes that time is one of your most valuable assets. Therefore, we will not ask you to speak to a classroom 50 miles away with one day’s notice. When you register to be a classroom speaker, you tell us the geographic area that you are willing to speak to. You can even narrow your choices down to individual districts or school buildings. You will also tell us which specific topics that you are willing to address and how long your presentation will last. You can be very broad or very specific when choosing topics, a menu of selections is provided upon registration.
4. Who typically volunteers?
- Accountants
- Entrepreneurs
- Insurance Agents
- Managers
- Bankers
- Financial Planners
- Lawyers
- Real Estate Professionals
These are just a few of the people who can help. We are looking to fill a diverse database of volunteers. We are looking for all ages, from young to experienced to retired.
Through our registration system, you choose the topic(s) that you can speak about, the geographic area you are willing to travel to, and how long your presentation will last.
5. Who supports this effort?
For a full list of partners, choose the Our partners link above.
6. Who chooses the presentation topic? Where will I be asked to present? How long must my presentation last?
You choose where, when, what and how long.
Why Money Matters recognizes that time is one of your most valuable assets. Therefore, we will not ask you to speak to a classroom 50 miles away with one day’s notice. When you register to be a classroom speaker, you tell us the geographic area that you are willing to speak to. You can even narrow your choices down to individual districts or school buildings. You will also tell us which specific topics that you are willing to address and how long your presentation will last. You can be very broad or very specific when choosing topics, a menu of selections is provided upon registration.
7. Is this effort needed? What does the research tell us?
Nationally, students are demonstrating an overall lack of basic financial knowledge.
In 2008, on a national test of high school seniors in financial literacy topics, the average score was less than 50%. College freshman scored only marginally better.
Our nation is graduating high school students who are financially illiterate.
85% of high school seniors do not have credit cards; but the number one reason listed for dropping out of college is “financial reasons” (i.e. credit card debt). If we are asking our high schools to prepare students for college, this cannot be done without solid teaching in financial literacy.
The United States is a debtor nation
As a Federal government, the United States regularly practices deficit spending. The National Personal Savings Rate is near zero percent (0%) and for many years, immediately before the economic recession of 2009, there was a negative savings rate (people were spending more than they earned – accumulating debt, not savings).
8. How much notice will I be given before I am asked to present?
Teachers are requested to provide at least two weeks notice. Speakers always have the option to refuse a request if it does not fit within their schedule.
9. Who provides the presentation materials?
There is no standard curriculum that is required for a presentation. If necessary, volunteer speakers and teachers may communicate prior to a visit and discuss the topic. Volunteers are also given access to potential lessons with the Why Money Matters website.
10. What information is requested from teachers prior to scheduling a speaker?
Why Money Matters requires that when a teacher registers to request a speaker, they must answer the following questions:
- What date is being requested?
- Are you requesting one or multiple classroom presentations? The teacher will be provided a note that the presented may not be able to do multiple presentations.
- Where will the presenter be speaking?
- Address, room number, and other directions, such as entry door to the building, who to ask at the desk, etc.
- What is the name of the teacher and class being taught?
- How many students will be in the audience?
- What is the age group/grade level of the audience?
- How much time will the presenter be given to speak?