Maintains that clarifying and evaluating risks is an essential element of education in economic decision making. Shows how common business management concepts of risk and opportunity can be applied to personal economic decision making. Provides a scheme for estimating the risk involved in undertaking new opportunities. (JDH)

Examines the effects of selected antecedent variables and communication processes on the consumer behavior of the elderly. Results suggest that the mass media and the family may be instrumental in reinforcing or developing traditional sex-role stereotypes among the elderly, whereas consumer education may help them filter puffery in advertisements.…

There is a need for effective consumer health education in the schools that focuses on transmission of information, development of decision-making skills, and offers opportunities for practical application. An approach to facilitate the development of a self-care practicum experience in consumer health that makes use of the resources of the school…

The potential benefits of teacher fellowships are discussed. One such Fellowship consisted of research into the teaching of low attainers in secondary schools, and resulting units on money management are briefly described. (MNS)

Saint Mary's School for the Deaf is initiating a program for reinforcing the vocational experiences of the older multiply-handicapped, low functioning deaf student. (Author/SBH)

The World of Work Economic Education (WOWEE), a state-wide action-research project in operation in Illinois, is discussed in relation to its objectives, concepts, purpose, and how it makes use of varied areas of expertise. (HD)

Financial education is essential, yet on average, adults scored 57 percent on basic economic knowledge, according to the "Standards in Economics Survey" conducted in 1999 for the National Council on Economic Education. The Community Affairs Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland surveyed financial institutions and community…

Suggestions on when to seek professional counseling are detailed in this book. The question "What is therapy?" is posed at the beginning. Several anecdotes illustrating crisis situations are offered, followed by a definition of therapy: the process of treating a problem that gets in the way of effective living. This treatment can include…

This book opens with an exploration of the fundamental trilogy of economics - scarcity, choice, and cost. Students then examine the broad social goals of an economy in preparation for lessons treating many topics new to the precollege level such as the stock market, public choice, and aggregate supply and demand. The set of 20 lessons include: (1)…

Interest rates can significantly influence people's behavior. When rates decline, homeowners rush to buy new homes and refinance old mortgages; automobile buyers scramble to buy new cars; the stock market soars, and people tend to feel more optimistic about the future. But even though individuals respond to changes in rates, they may not fully…

Many generalizations sound simple enough--for example, "strong is good, weak is bad"--but they can be confusing when talking about money. This booklet explores how the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies affect each other and how their interaction affects the individual and the economy. The booklet contains the following sections:…

Middle school students enjoy personal finance because it involves making decisions about their lives, both in the present and in the future. This teacher's guide and student workouts package consists of 17 economics lessons for students at grades 6-8 that are divided into 5 theme areas: the economic way of thinking; earning an income; saving;…

This Fall 2001-Spring 2002 newsletter provides resources and information to educators, particularly economics, history, social studies, and business educators, throughout the western district of the Federal Reserve System. The goal of the newsletter is to highlight new Federal Reserve teaching materials and resources, including Web sites,…

Describes an elective course dealing with chemistry for the consumer. Students investigate consumer products, the chemistry behind these products, and possible ways in which a better understanding of chemistry could help them become more selective consumers. The chemistry of aerosols is a topic given particular attention. (JR)