A study of over 3,000 U.S. high school students who took the Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) in 1986 reveals a lack of basic understanding in the four basic TEL concept clusters of fundamental economics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. The TEL was administered pre- and posttest where students were enrolled in one of…

Reviews research suggesting poor economic understanding among elementary school students. Presents findings of a study of the economic comprehension of 248 elementary education majors. Reveals that those students share the younger children's unfamiliarity with economics. Argues that improving teachers' economics training will enhance the economic…

Contends that great strides were made in improving economics education after 1961, with the release of the National Task Force on Economic Education report. Asserts that infusing economic concepts into other social studies courses is much less effective than providing a separate economics course. (CFR)

Data from the Joint Council on Economic Education's National Assessment of Economic Education (NAEE) Survey, gathered during the 1986-87 school year, provide material for a large-sample study of a broad variety of determinants of economic understanding and attitudes at the precollege level. The NAEE Survey, consisting of four questionnaires,…

Analyzing Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) scores, examines how extent of teacher course work influences student achievement. Concludes student learning improves when instructors had a minimum of four economics courses. States results are most significant in teaching macroeconomics with implications for citizenship education. (CH)

Examines the effect of unionization on high school economics teacher productivity measured by student performance on the Test of Economic Literacy (TEL). Finds that students in unionized school districts scored higher relative to students in nonunionized districts. Suggests these findings have implications for resource allocation. Includes tables…

Employs panel-data techniques, using data from the national norming of the Test of Economic Literacy, to measure instructor characteristics in effective teaching of high school economics. Measures the effect of prior training on economics instruction and school district characteristics. Suggests teachers as a key link in the educational process…

Using a production-functions approach, analyzes data from the National Assessment of Economic Education to investigate whether spending more on high school economics courses improves student performance measured by the Test of Economic Literacy (TEL). Delineates procedure. Results show direct allocation of resources produces improved student…