In Progress

6. Introduce new courses in household / vehicle maintenance.

By offering new classes that would introduce household / vehicle maintenance it would foster a renewed interest in home economics.  More boys would be more likely to participate as well as introduce these needed life skills to girls. http://www.startsateight.com/basic-household-repairs/ https://www.wickedwrenchco.com/classes

5. Advance the progressive, scientific, ecological view within home economics.

People want home economics to teach life skills so that kids can be better-functioning adults. https://homehacks.co/parents-home-economics-back-schools/

1. Change the name back to “home economics.”

No one recognizes the term “family and consumer science” except those in the industry.  I personally explain to people daily that FACS is what used was used to be called home economics.  Home is more inclusive than family. https://www.familyconsumersciences.com/about/

2. Make home economics mandatory.

Teachers are better qualified to teach than parents even on practical skills.  Parents are busy and have more than enough to do without also having to be the sole trainers in cooking, cleaning, financial literacy, and relationship skills.4 https://observatory.tec.mx/edu-news/home-economics-21st-century https://thesoutherneronline.com/81208/lifestyle/lack-of-home-economic-classes-ill-prepare-students-for-life/

4. Embrace life skills as well as career preparation.

Part of the problem stems from the undervaluation of what has traditionally been women’s work.  If we seriously valued work that makes our lives easier, that in some cases makes it possible for people to work outside the home, we might improve the pay of the people who do it. https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/homeEc/cases/careers.html https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/home-economics/274928

3. Diversify the profession.

When only older white women are the leaders in the field more effort needs to be made to bring in men and individuals of different races into leadership roles. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/diversity-in-the-classroom/

Completed

1. How are you considering your broad audience? 2. Are your techniques/methods relative to the needs of students/families/communities?

Everyone needs home economics to teach life skills so that kids can be better-functioning adults.

3. Are your techniques/methods cost effective for the audience? Is what you suggest already been attempted? 4. If so, why hasn’t it worked in the past and why do you think it will work now?

Create 3 different education models for schools to choose the best option:  1. On-Site classes with a variety of hands-on life skill learning.  2. On-Site basic classes and hands-on life skills taught at a community education site.  3. On-Site basic classes and hands-on life skills to be done at home with supervision.    Providing options would be cost effective and an idea that has not been attempted.

5. How would you enact this “roadmap” to successfully bring back home ec?

Getting state school boards to mandate home economics would be a way to successfully bring back home economics.

6. Who needs to take ownership in your “roadmap” for it to be successful?

Parents and educators need to take ownership in this new roadmap for home economic revival to be successful.

7. What are the first steps to take and/or how do you begin?

Lobbying State Board of Directors to change graduation requirements to include a home economic course.

Powered by Convas