ABOUT
The H&R Block Dollars & Sense National Challenge encourages DECA members to test their money management skills. This competition is a free event for dues-paying DECA members. Participating members utilize a competition version of the Virtual Business – Personal Finance classroom software. Virtual Business is a software program that was created by Knowledge Matters. The initial feasibility research was funded by a U.S. Department of Education SBIR Contract.
QUALIFYING ROUNDS:
The H&R Block Dollars & Sense National Challenge contains two qualifying rounds (Round One and Two). Round One begins October 24, 2011 at 10AM EST and ends on November 18, 2011 at 5PM EST and Round Two begins January 2, 2012 at 10AM EST and ends on January 27, 2012 at 5PM EST.
Each round will focus upon different concepts found within the simulations. DECA members will not be able to control every concept found under the Actions Menu. Teams are only able to manipulate the actions enabled for that specific round. All other concepts will be set adequately and controlled for the teams. Participating teams will be making personal finance decisions for a simulated person. Assignments explaining Challenge goals and objectives will be available within the competition files.
The Round One competition file will only be available for download October 24, 2011 at 10AM EST – November 18, 2011 at 5PM EST. The Round Two competition file will only be available for download January 2, 2012 at 10AM EST – January 27, 2012 at 5PM EST. Teams may participate at any time during a competition round and may run through the competition files as many times as they wish during the competition periods. When the competition file is complete, teams will be notified with an automatic stop message that asks them if they would like to upload their score. As long as they are connected to the Internet, teams will be able to upload their score. This process will require the team code which is assigned during the registration process. If teams are unable to successfully upload their score, there is an alternate email method available through the upload screen found within the program.
After uploading a score, teams may visit the ranking’s page to see where they rank by state, by region and nationally. Teams may upload as many scores as they wish because Knowledge Matters will always rank teams based upon their best score. During each of the qualifying rounds, the top two teams from each of the four regions (Central, North Atlantic, Southern & Western) will qualify to compete at the ICDC. A maximum of one team, per chapter, per round is eligible to qualify for the ICDC. Teams that qualify for nationals during Round One can participate, but will not be ranked in Round Two.
For each competition round, teams will be ranked based upon their person's net worth after running the simulation until they reach the automatic stop date. DECA will send certificates of recognition for the winners of each state for each of the Challenges to the appropriate state advisor so winners may be recognized at their state meetings.
Each competition round will start at 10AM EST-East Coast on the start date. No score submission will be accepted after 5PM EST on the last day of the competition round. Each file is time and date stamped upon receipt for validation. Files will be automatically scored, ranked and posted under the rankings page.
FINALS
At the conclusion of Round Two, the teams that qualified to compete in the National finals at the ICDC will be listed at www.hrblockdollarsandsense.com. These teams must have their DECA advisor confirm their attendance and participation in this event by calling (413) 587-9917. Prior to confirming a team, the DECA advisor must notify and gain approval from their state advisor for the team to participate in the H&R Block Dollars & Sense National Challenge at the ICDC. To ensure a 16-team field for nationals, advisors must confirm their teams on or before March 1, 2012.
If a team qualifies for nationals and one or two of the students is (are) unable to go to the ICDC, but the remaining member(s) can go, H&R Block will allow a member(s) from another team in that chapter to replace the team member(s) that cannot go. This replacement situation may ONLY take place IF the student(s) taking the open position(s) is (are) a member(s) of the team that is next in the rankings for that particular region.
Competition sessions at nationals will be held LIVE in the exhibit hall. Qualifying teams will be responsible for managing all aspects of their person's life. Unlike the qualifying rounds, competition sessions held at nationals will be timed events. The goal will be to make as much profit as possible within the time allowed (15-20 minute sessions). Nationals will follow a double-elimination format with scholarships being awarded to the first, second, third and fourth place teams..
DISCLAIMER
Each team and its members are responsible for having read all the guidelines. National DECA and Knowledge Matters, Inc. are not responsible for an entry that is late, lost, misdirected, or not received. Only entries that are received by Knowledge Matters, Inc. will be eligible for scoring and ranking. All technical issues should be directed to our support team as soon as possible for resolution. Because of the wide variation in computer systems, Knowledge Matters, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the performance of its software on participants' computers. It is the team members' responsibility to read the Late Breaking News/FAQ's located on this page for updates.
All finalists will be required to sign and return a Publicity Release as a condition of receiving travel subsidies. Taxes on awards are the sole responsibility of the recipients. By participating, team members agree to the official rules and to the use of their names, photos, likenesses, video, and/or images in any media, including without limitation on the Internet for advertising, promotional and publicity purposes in relations to H&R Block Dollars & Sense without prior written consent or compensation where legal and subject to a signed Publicity Release Form.
H&R Block reserves the right to cancel the H&R Block Dollars & Sense National Challenge at any time, with or without notice.
CONTACTS
DECA Cindy Allen, Marketing Department, DECA, Inc.
703-860-5000 x230
cindy_allen@deca.org
www.deca.org
General Questions
Knowledge Matters, Inc.
VBCCentral@KnowledgeMatters.com
·Home
·Rankings
·Prizes
·Support
·Rules
·Hints
·About