Results of a survey of the A level (college preparatory) syllabus for economic education in 175 schools in England and Wales are reported. The study examined whether economics courses at the A level prepare students for entry into industry and the professions. (KC)

Preservice teachers classed as having high or low conceptual levels were assigned either to highly or moderately structured learning environments. Those in the moderate structure scored significantly higher on knowledge level items; those in the high structure integrated and applied the knowledge to a greater extent. (Author/SK)

Examined economic concept learning and retention in 121 first and second graders who were randomly assigned (stratified by grade) to 1 of 4 instruction conditions: cooperative learning, mastery learning, cooperative-mastery learning, or control treatment. Found on posttest and delayed posttest that cooperative-mastery method was superior to other…

Presents a study that focused on two broad questions: (1) what reasons do teachers give for teaching high school economics; and (2) what are the major goals these teachers hold for their economics courses and students in those courses? States that eight high school economics teachers were interviewed. (CMK)

Examines the effect of economics instruction on ninth-grade student attitudes toward economic topics using the Economics Values Inventory. Finds that economics instruction has a measurable impact on student economic attitudes and reinforces developmental trends resulting in greater commitment to the system of economic production and diminished…

Reports on a study of faculty perceptions of critical thinking instruction in 6 disciplines in 39 higher education institutions. Finds that graduate programs in economics teach a different form of problem solving. Recommends that critical thinking skills be given priority in academic programs. (CFR)

Examines some widely used introductory economics textbooks. Documents how much international coverage they contain. Seeks any emerging patterns of integration among the texts. Concludes that visible efforts are being made to enhance the coverage of international issues in texts. Suggests that many authors do not live up to claims that…

Reviews research suggesting poor economic understanding among elementary school students. Presents findings of a study of the economic comprehension of 248 elementary education majors. Reveals that those students share the younger children's unfamiliarity with economics. Argues that improving teachers' economics training will enhance the economic…

An investigation of effects of concurrent study of other subjects on student performance on the New Zealand Universities Bursaries examination found study of English carried no benefit, study of economics offered little practical benefit, and the effect of mathematics could not be measured. Study of statistics alone, without economics, had a…

Reports on a study of the impact of student evaluations of higher education economics instructors on faculty behavior and grades. Finds that initially grades increased but then declined over a nine-year period. Recommends further research on this issue. (CFR)

Maintains that economic research recently has been characterized by the development of increasingly sophisticated models of economics learning. Recommends that further application of the Survey on Economic Attitudes include factor analysis as an alternative approach to gain additional insights into affective economics learning. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 5,000 student evaluations of teachers (SETs) and their relationship to the final grades the students received in introductory economics classes. Finds that there is little relationship between the rating of instructors and the grades received by students in their classes. Recommends that colleges and universities explore…

Reports on college-level microeconomic classes to compare learning in short-term intensive course with traditional semester-length course. Found students in three-week courses performed better on achievement tests than those in traditional semester courses but this advantage disappeared when knowledge retention was measured. Raises policy…

Four significant factors affecting enrollment, completion, and student job placement were identified by 59 of 92 occupational home economics teachers surveyed: school type, student cooperative programs, numbers of academically disadvantaged, and teacher field experience. Job placement was the weakest area. (SK)

Summarizes the educational trends in undergraduate economics degrees from 1997-98 noting that in the three year period from 1991-92 to 1994-95 there was a 30% decline in the number of economic degrees awarded to undergraduate students. Finds that the overall trend masks huge differences among the types of institutions. (CMK)