The authors extend the literature on the efficacy of high school economics instruction in two directions. First, they assess how much economic knowledge that California students acquired in their compulsory high school course is retained on their entering college. Second, using as a control group some college students from the state of Washington,…

Argues there is limited research data about student knowledge of economic concepts at the secondary school education level. Describes the development, validation, and national norming of the revised Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) and presents findings from the 1986 pretest analysis of the revised TEL. (BSR)

This study attempted to determine the effect of a teacher education seminar stressing economic concepts and methodology on the level of understanding in economics held by the students of the participants. There were 19 teachers of 440 students in the experimental group, and 12 teachers of 229 students in the control group. Results are discussed.…

Reports on a study of economic knowledge and attitudes of 873 upper secondary school, Chinese students. Finds that Chinese students performed better than northern California students on the Test of Economic Literacy. Concludes that the relatively high level of economic knowledge and the impact of Western economic ideas will encourage further…

Tests of achievement in economics have a variety of uses. Their principal role is to evaluate how successful students have been in learning economics on a particular course, either overall or in particular aspects of economics. They may also serve to provide evidence about the efficacy of specific teaching materials and/or strategies. Finally,…

Presents study which extends the analysis of economic understanding and attitudes of high school students using a national data set of the Test of Economic Literacy (TEL). Using matched pre- and posttest scores, the study investigated factors that explained level of posttest economic achievement or attitudes and analyzed reasons for gains in…

Presents results of a study comparing Georgia college students' scores on a test for economic understanding with scores of high school students. Compares scores by university and also by demographic information. Concludes that there is significant advantage in taking economics at the senior grade level in high school. (DK)

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,…

Reports on a study of the economic literacy of 942 adults and compares the results with the economic literacy of high school students. Finds that high school students outscored the adults. Also finds that adult scores were related positively to both the level of education achieved and the completion of an economics course. (CFR)

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)

Contends that most teachers do not effectively identify and correct student misconceptions and mislearning. Reviews models to identify student mislearning and ways to help students correct the mislearning. Describes a staff development program in which mentor teachers received training using these instructional strategies. (CFR)

The "Test of Economic Literacy" was used to assess the economics knowledge of students enrolled in five Kentucky vocational high schools. The test was to determine if economics instruction should be instituted in vocational schools. Neither age group nor gender was found to be a significant factor in student achievement, but the number…

Describes the administration of the U.S. Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) to eleventh and twelfth grade students in the United Kingdom and the United States. Compares British and U.S. test results. Reports that British students performed better than their U.S. counterparts. Discusses differences between British and U.S. research in economics…

The lack of a German language testing instrument for economic literacy has led to problems for researchers in German-speaking countries to establish the level of economic literacy in those countries. The translation of the 23rd edition (1987) of the Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) into a German version, known as the Wirtschalfliche Bildung Test…

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…