Attempts to determine whether behavior is significantly affected by consumer education. Examines the money management, use of credit and borrowing and general purchasing habits of high school graduates two years after they took a consumer education course. Also attempts to provide valuable insights into the course content through student feedback.…

Critics claim that consumer education materials from business sources are commercial in nature. Research evaluating the extent to which this claim is justified found that business-sponsored consumer curriculum materials contain significantly more commercial and advertising content than nonbusiness materials. (Author/CH)

The Resource Management Center at Hood College (Maryland) provides home economics students with facilities to study and practice resource conservation, nutrition and preventive health maintenance, and community outreach. (SK)

The study evaluated the use of simulated instruction on vending machine use as an adjunct to community-based instruction with two moderately retarded children. Results showed concurrent acquisition of the vending machine skills across trained and untrained sites. (Author/DB)

The study evaluated the readability of warning labels on potentially hazardous substances sold in a grocery store. Findings indicated the reading level of half the key words ranged from 4th grade to 10th grade and that many words seldom taught to the moderately or severely retarded appeared frequently and others commonly taught appeared rarely.…

Two teaching strategies (constant time delay and increasing prompt hierarchy assistance) were compared in teaching four severely handicapped high school students to purchase snack items at a convenience store and fast food restaurant. Results indicated the time delay procedure was more effective. (DB)

Describes a classroom economics system for fifth graders based on real-life experience. Income earned in assigned "jobs" may be spent for future fixed expenses, unexpected opportunities and expenses, and immediate entertainment. Students learn social skills as well as how to bank, buy stock and insurance, cope with unemployment, manage a store,…

Presents a case study of a community survey taken by second-grade students and published in a local newspaper. Advocates such projects as a method to teach statistics, survey skills, and improve public relations by getting students' names in print. (JM)

Extensive use of pesticides during food production has created concerns for certain involuntary risks. Examines these concerns: government role in control and monitoring pesticide use, proposals for reform, and how consumer awareness might be an effective pressure for finding remedies. A table listing produce and pesticide residues is included.…

The consumer education movement is traced to the early decades of the twentieth century and future directions are explored on the basis of past experience. (Author/KM)

The article describes seven innovative home economics projects. They are in the areas of child care development, fashion, consumer education, secondary school career education, and FHA/HERO contributions to the classroom. (AG)

Presents examples of consumer education courses in schools in the United States. (PG)

The First of a four part series to help bring teachers up to date on the changes taking place in the field of economics. (GB)