Consumer Education Organization and Implementation.

Overview & Synopsis

Methods are presented for organizing and implementing consumer education for grades K-12. The handbook is based on the premise that consumer education should be integrated in the total curriculum. Consumer education is defined as the preparation of individuals in the skills, concepts, and understandings required for maximum use of and satisfaction from their resources. The handbook is divided into two major sections. The first section develops the organizational constructs of consumer education. It is suggested that teachers establish objectives, create an atmosphere in which student needs and interests can be brought out openly, and allow students a high level of participation in learning activities. Suggestions for organizing consumer education on a K-12 continuum are offered. The second section of the handbook suggests the following five implementation models: use existing courses, integrate all courses, team teach, offer a separate course, and use a community-based systems approach. An appendix contains consumer education competencies checklists for primary, intermediate, and secondary grades. The checklists can help the instructor determine what consumer topics are to be taught and show where they appear in existing programs. (Author/JR)