Provides a report of committee activities and meeting minutes. Included is information on the development of the Advanced Placement Program in Economics, the use of foreign students as teaching assistants, the assessment of student learning, and the status of the "Journal of Economic Education." (JDH)

Examining economics textbooks, Bell states that today's texts descend from Samuelson's "Economics" published in 1948. States that the closed economy model used to present aggregate analysis has become irrelevant. Argues that introductory textbooks should develop a student understanding of the interdependent world economy as well as…

Comments on Bell's article "The Principles of Economics from Now until Then," responding to the author's two general premises as well as citing specific arguments. Concludes that Bell's premises are based on a small and unrepresentative number of textbooks. Many textbooks that present material according to the recommendations were…

Discusses the role of the textbook in the principles of economics course. Recognizing that textbooks are only one source of input for students, and that they substitute for lectures to a limited extent, Boskin recommends that texts should stress the basics and serve as a reference source to support classroom instruction. (GEA)

Commenting on Boskin's article "Observations on the Use of Textbooks in the Teaching of Principles of Economics," Case discusses the debate surrounding the sequence of principles courses and the content deemed necessary for corresponding textbooks. Case agrees with Boskin that key concepts should have more emphasis and concludes that…

Responding to "Observations on the Use of Textbooks in the Teaching of Principles of Economics," Dolan agrees with Boskin's appraisal of textbooks. Explains why texts share common faults and proposes possible means of alleviating them. Examines five constraints on textbook writers, stating that by changing them, authors can change their…

Discusses the problems presented by current principles of economics textbooks, proposing two theses: that the market for principles textbooks is one of monopolistic competition, and that it reflects certain market failures. Examines changes that are needed so that textbooks will reflect more adequately important changes in the economy and economic…

Responding to Stiglitz's article "On the Market for Principles of Economics Textbooks: Innovation and Product Differentiation," Schiller disputes the claim that there is growing dissatisfaction with textbooks, stating that the central issue in the debate is "how best to teach economic principles." Discusses the importance of…

Presents the concepts of spot, forward, and futures markets, term structure, and arbitrage within the framework of an apartment complex in which each unit is a perfect substitute for every other. Attempts to illustrate how real markets work by describing the above concepts in terms of the market for apartments. (GEA)

Presents a classroom exercise which illustrates consumer equilibrium, the equimarginal principle, indifference curves, and income and substitution effects. States that students gain a better consumer equilibrium by linking together these elements of economic analysis. (GEA)

Argues there is limited research data about student knowledge of economic concepts at the secondary school education level. Describes the development, validation, and national norming of the revised Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) and presents findings from the 1986 pretest analysis of the revised TEL. (BSR)

Reports on the International Research Seminar held at the University of London Institute of Education in July 1985. Topics include how economics instruction impacts students' attitudes and values, notions of economic literacy, curriculum reform, and teacher training. (JDH)

Describes an experienced-based economics program for grades 3-6 composed of two interactive components to learn real-world economics in a meaningful and memorable way. Situations are discussed and positive effects are assessed. (TRS)

This lesson plan, a simulation which can be a semester-long activity, illustrates numerous economic concepts to students of all abilities. The lesson's system has been used successfully for the past five years in English as a Second Language, regular, and Advanced Placement classes. The "system" has proven to be enjoyable, motivating,…

This book describes award-winning teacher-developed projects and courses in economics. The reports are condensed versions of the original projects and are divided into grade levels. Primary Level includes: "Peanut Economics" (Janet Lancaster; Dena L. Meade); "Consumer Education Circus" (Pearl Eloshway; Linda McGeehan); "Critter Cards" (Joyce G.…