Perspectives on Economic Education. Proceedings from the National Conference on Needed Research and Development in Precollege Economic Education Held February 12-14, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana and Funded by the National Science Foundation.

Overview & Synopsis

The report contains proceedings from a conference which assessed precollege needs in economic education. The Conference Overview (Part I) and Recommendations of Conference Participants (end of Part VI) were published previously as a separate document (ED 130 953). The bulk of this report includes the texts of nine presentations and responses by economic educators, three teachers' reflections on the conference, and a summary. Topics of the presentations included the state of economic literacy, economic education needs for ethnic minorities, male-female differences in precollege economic education, needed materials, current and future needs for teacher training, evaluation in economic education, and diffusion and implementation of economic education programs. The summary reviews the relationship between economics and social studies, which is the class in which most students learn economics. There is a need for educators to translate new economic theories into forms understandable to children. Economic illiteracy may be a significant element in increasing general illiteracy. Research is needed in areas of teacher education, learning models, and role of student reading levels and IQ in economic literacy. More material for middle school grades should be developed, accompanied by greater integration among materials for all levels. (Author/AV)