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.…

Some of the issues that confront people contemplating psychotherapy are discussed. These include questions about how to choose the right professional, how to behave appropriately during treatment, what techniques are available, and how and when to end therapy. (IS)

Briefly sketches responses of consumer and homemaking educators to the personal dilemmas caused by unemployment. Programs described range from skills development, employability enhancement, and career exploration, to stress management and therapeutic counseling. (SK)

Home economics can help students deal with social problems, learn to cope with their lives, make sound judgments, get along with family members, and manage their resources. Guidelines are given for implementing the new, socially significant home economics. (MJL)

Discusses research to determine whether student competency and attitudes toward business would improve after participation in a consumer education course. Findings indicated that students who took the course did improve in these areas. Journal available from American Council on Consumer Interests, 162 Stanley Hall, University of Missouri,…

The author suggests that the common core of career education and consumer education is the emphasis on practical, real-life skills, with a focus on self-understanding and self-oriented decision making. Presented are activities and projects which enhance awareness of the importance of these skills. (KC)

To aid teachers in media selection, this column looks at an array of fairly recent filmstrips, films, video cassettes, slides, and recordings for consumer education, arranged by topic and in ascending grade level order. It also suggests some ready sources of government pamphlets. Ordering information is appended. (Author/SJL)

Granite School District, Salt Lake City, Utah, has developed an elementary consumer education program designed for infusion into regular subject matter teaching. This article presents goals and starter activities from each of the project's eight topic areas: money management, income determination, basic economics, advertising, purchasing, energy,…