JA: a solution provider: positive results from virtual finance park.

• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: Junior Achievement

"There is no reason that Alaskans should be receiving an F in financial literacy," says Flora Teo, president of Junior Achievement (JA) of Alaska. "The financial choices you make individually can be just as important as your career and education choices. When Alaskans choose to make financial education a priority for young people, we will see a positive change in the hopes for the state's economic future."

In 2014 JA of Alaska, along with Alaska Communications, piloted Virtual Finance Park in Alaska's schools--its first blended-learning program--and has experienced positive results. "The classroom data tells a story. Students increase their knowledge of saving, investing, budgeting, and credit by an average of 27 percent after participating in JA Virtual Finance Park," says Teo. JA is currently implementing Virtual Finance Park in more than twenty-five classrooms statewide. JA Virtual Finance Park provides students hands-on lessons in personal financial management and first-hand understanding of the economic issues they will confront upon high school graduation.

The blended model has three parts: part teacher instruction, part volunteer instruction, and part online participation in an online simulation. The simulation functions as an experience as students are taught various aspects of finance, including monetary transactions, savings and investment options, and budgeting. The interactive elements bring the concepts to life in the virtual environment, including social networking and personal challenges.

In 2015 the Anchorage School District adopted JA Virtual...