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Innovation Profile: Youth Financial Literacy Training

Email Patricia | Visit Patricia’s Web site

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2010:

Patricia Johnson contributed to the innovation@cfed Blog in a post entitled "Rewards and Consequences of Breaking Up." She describes Game Theory Academy's work at MetWest High School by using the actual words of students as they absorb lessons of economic decision-making and self-interest through rap music and real-life situations.

About the Innovation

To bridge a young person’s self-awareness about their relationship with money and rational decision-making based on personal self-interest, the Game Theory Academy (GTA) has designed and tested an innovative approach to help at-risk, low-income youth develop sound financial literacy skills. Students develop an understanding of classical economic theory and learn strategic decision-making and risk tolerance through games, news articles and popular songs so they can manage money and prevent identity theft. GTA partners with community organizations to offer its curriculum to foster youth and youth offenders aged 16-24. This unconventional approach to financial education offers a tie-in to entrepreneurship and matched savings opportunities to deepen impact and has the potential to reach thousands of at-risk youth and adults across the country.

About the Innovator

Patricia founded Game Theory Academy in 2008. Earlier, Patricia joined Pacific News Service, a nonprofit agency in San Francisco, and later became involved with the organization’s youth programs, where she conducted writing workshops inside juvenile halls in California’s Alameda and Fresno counties. She started a freelance nonprofit management consulting practice, working with clients in the fields of youth development, criminal justice reform and addiction medicine.

Tags: Children & Youth, Financial Education