Discusses objects, methods of instruction, content, and accomplishments of the undergraduate major in economics. Recommends a strong introductory sequence stressing application of economic tools, rigorous intermediate theory courses, background courses in quantitative methods, and a minimum of five economics electives. Suggests synthesis through a…

Recommends that future research on economics education be directed toward the measurement of multiple outputs, the economics major, and replication. Suggests reexamination of how high school economics instruction affects later interest. Explores effects of class size, optimum order for taking classes, student and instructor differences, nonnative…

Describes a secondary course in which cost benefit analysis is used as a basis for decision making about social issues. Explains how students were divided into task groups and assigned roles corresponding to local organizations. Includes data sheets, questions, and recommended instructional resources. (CFR)

Describes the use of a computer simulation, "The Competitive Edge," in a college-level course in labor relations. Describes the content, implementation procedures, and assessment design of the simulation. Concludes that, although some improvements could be made, the program is a valuable and useful simulation of labor market decision…

Asserts that economics education is a desirable goal for the elementary curriculum because elementary students can learn and understand economic concepts. Reviews four "Teaching-Learning Principles" based on empirical research about learning effectiveness. Applies these principles to economic concepts such as scarcity, cost-benefit analysis, and…

Presents the results of a class experiment that documented the significance of use of the Internet on learning and retention of economic concepts. The results offer evidence of the positive effects of Internet use on both academic performance and students' attitudes toward economics. (MJP)

Describes the creation and implementation of voluntary standards and benchmarks for the teaching and learning of economics at the precollege level. The standards, established by the National Council on Economic Education in 1997, outline fundamental economic concepts to be taught at each grade level. Includes copies of the standards. (MJP)

Suggests that the claims of advocates of centralized standards and universal testing of schools must be questioned and that alternatives to testing should be considered for the educational output of schools. Argues that supporters have failed to consider the costs of national essay-type tests and the inherent problems of test reliability. (MJP)

Compares and contrasts Joseph Schumpeter's 1942 classic of economic thought, "Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy," with Edward Bellamy's 1888 utopian novel, "Looking Backward." Both works criticize capitalism and arrive at socialist solutions. Bellamy's entertaining novel provides a useful benchmark for students analyzing…

Presents the Texas standards for U.S. history in the following areas: (1) history, (2) geography, (3) economics, (4) government, (5) citizenship, (6) culture, (7) science, technology, and society, and (8) social studies skills. Offers 26 standards in total and provides expectations for the students in each area. (CMK)

Asserts that elementary students should know the basic vocabulary of economics, in particular, the "Significant Six": (1) goods and services; (2) productive resources; (3) scarcity; (4) opportunity cost; (5) specialization; and (6) exchange. Provides a lesson called "Benny's Pennies" that focuses on goods and services that…

Employing two widely used approaches to identify the effects of monetary policy, this paper explores the differential impact of policy on the labor market outcomes of teenagers, minorities, out-of-school youth, and less-skilled individuals. Evidence from recursive vector autoregressions and autoregressive distributed lag models that use…

Argues that new resources are needed to help teachers prepare students for the new General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE) examination. Compares previous examinations with new examinations to illustrate the problem. Presents textbooks, workbooks, computer programs, and other curriculum materials to demonstrate the gap between resources…

Discusses some of the current trends in post-graduate education. Traces the drop in enrollment in traditional doctoral programs and the increases in enrollments in programs which are seen to be more professionally relevant. Describes the increases in foreign students and women students in post-graduate programs. (TW)

This study investigated the academic background and instructional practices of California family life education teachers from home economics and other disciplines. A total of 661 principals and 415 teachers in schools with a ninth and/or tenth grade completed surveys examining teacher and course characteristics. Results are discussed. (Author/CT)