The purpose of this study was to examine verbal conceptual knowledge of selected economic topics to test for the existence of age, gender, and/or ethnic related trends and patterns. Three hundred fifty-five children, aged 2-l/2 through 16, were interviewed in one-on-one sessions by their teachers. Five questions were asked: (1) Why do people…

Criticizes college textbooks for adopting a "party line" of laissez-faire economic doctrine which asserts the benefits of free trade. Offers an alternative interpretation of international trade, covering such topics as the effect of unregulated international trade on wage levels, and international lending. (JDH)

The concept of home economics occupations conferences is examined, focusing on types of activities presented at such conferences, why such conferences are important, and how this concept can help home economics teachers. A list of suggested workshop subjects is provided. (CT)

Discusses British economics education between 1951 and 1991. Reports the scarcity of economics courses and materials during the 1950s, growth the discipline in the 1960s, the inception of the Economics Association's 14-16 Project during the 1970s, and the increased curriculum integration of the 1980s. Examines prospects for economics education in…

The author states that learning theory is useful for economic educators because it enables them to develop instructional theory for economic education. The paper is arranged into five parts. Part 1 focuses on the historical learning theory perspective of economics education. Part 2 defines instructional theory, states its relationship to learning…

High school students determine and meet the economic needs of imaginary island countries in this student-teacher created simulation game. The class is divided into six countries which determine their own economic system. Each group is provided with a summary of the current world economic situation and a confidential description of their own…

A survey of 15 college economic principles texts revealed a startling lack of uniformity, clarity, and precision in discussion of the U.S. economy. Descriptors of the economy were considered either primary or secondary. Primary descriptors were the major terms used to identify the U.S. economy and were used explicitly in the text. Secondary…

A description of a joint class simulation in trade policy undertaken by an international economics class and a political science class at Davidson College (Pennsylvania) is presented in three sections. Section I describes the structure of the simulation. Students were divided into groups of United States auto manufacturers, the United Auto…

This speech by the director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), describes AID's purposes and responsibilities and challenges teachers to consider future economic conditions of the world. Population forecasts are presented indicating that, of the 25 world's largest cities in the year 2000, only six will be located in developed…

This paper discusses the neoclassical and the Marxist traditions in economics and the current treatment of capitalist development in history textbooks. Beginning with an overview of the classical economists, Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, and David Ricardo, the two traditions in economics are then discussed in terms of: (1) scope and focus of…

Topics and issues which are central features of current secondary school economics curricula can be used to develop two aspects of students' thinking skills: (1) the development of problem-solving skills, and (2) the recognition of logical fallacies. The efficacy of economics instruction as a vehicle for developing student problem-solving skills…

This paper analyzes the economic knowledge of high school students based on national data from 8,000 students who took the revised "Test of Economic Literacy," a nationally normed and standardized achievement test in economics. First, the validity and reliability features of the test are presented and then the test scores are broken down…

The objective of a research project was to describe how undergraduate home economics students perceive their work lives in the year 2000 according to age, race, gender, marital status, and geographic region of the country. A valid, field-tested survey instrument developed specifically for this project was administered to 324 volunteer…

This paper presents the elementary mathematics behind the traditional cost-volume-profit model of the business firm in both deterministic and probabilistic forms. By a simulation process the structure could be modeled to derive a wide variety of data analysis sets for use in the classroom. The data sets can be used to aid students in applying…

Seven computer assignments for undergraduate economics students that concentrate on building a foundation for programming higher level mathematical calculations are described. The purpose of each assignment, the computer program for it, and the correct answers are provided. "Introduction to Text Editing" acquaints the student with some…