This study was designed to provide current information regarding the status of consumer education in New Jersey public secondary schools, to develop criteria for consumer education curricula and programs, and to assist in preservice and inservice training of teachers. Two questionnaires were used. The first, a status survey, contained 211 questions regarding aspects of consumer education programs. Significant response differences were noted among (1) various types of secondary schools, (2) schools that do not offer any consumer education; that offer separate courses only; that offer only consumer education components integrated in regular course offerings; and that offer both separate and integrated courses, and (3) schools with varying enrollments, annual expenditures per pupil, and percentages of minority students. The second questionnaire, a criteria survey, contained 18 criteria which were largely based on a review and synthesis of criteria and standards for consumer education programs already developed in a number of other States. Analysis of data included differences in the responses of various types of secondary schools. Results of both questionnaires are reported in tables and questionnaires are included in the appendix. (TA)