Family and Consumer Sciences
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Family and consumer sciences education is by far the most
widespread discipline to address parenting education through formalized
programs of instruction. Many, if not
most, high schools and middle schools, and a few elementary schools, already
have on staff family and consumer sciences teachers who are particularly
trained and equipped to teach parenting and related topics.
Family and
consumer sciences teachers are licensed through their state departments of education. Most
often, this involves successful minimum completion of a state-approved college
or university bachelor degree program in family and consumer sciences education, which is available at nearly sixty
First emerging in the mid-1800s, the focus of the discipline
was to apply scientific principles to the work of the home, thereby improving
the economic and social quality, influence, and effectiveness of households.
Originally called domestic science, then home economics, in 1994 the field was
renamed family and consumer sciences in the
Some
states and local districts require family and consumer sciences courses for
graduation. Many states provide requirements or guidelines to school districts
for courses in the field. Most state departments of education employ one or
more family and consumer sciences program specialists who provide assistance
with developing instruction and assessment (see resources below).
Curricula
Family and consumer sciences classes are based on the
premise that everyone needs preparation in basic life skills and that parenting
is best taught within this context. Parenting may be taught as a class by
itself, as part of a class such as child development, life skills, or human
relations class. Topics usually include readiness for parenting, the social,
emotional, physical, financial, and intellectual aspects of parent and child
rearing, balancing work and family, self esteem, communication, relationships,
conflict resolution, team building, marriage, parenting, brain development, and
critical thinking skills.
Family
and Consumer Sciences teachers often incorporate the materials cited in the
many programs and references listed on
this website.
The Suggested
Parenting Education Topics for Children and Teens
developed by The Parenting Project are included in most Family and Consumer
Sciences classes.
Students can also earn service learning credit and enhance their own knowledge by
teaching life skills lessons to young children at the elementary school level.
This technique of cross age teaching helps both groups to be better prepared
for parenting and life in general.
Family and consumer sciences faculty in
middle schools and high schools also sponsor co-curricular or extracurricular
programming through Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA),
formerly Future Homemakers of America. FCCLA programs include
Families First, which includes “Parent Practice—learn to nurture children.”
How to Help
Unfortunately,
far too few students are able
to participate in these essential classes.
As one child development student so aptly put it "I don't even remember my
advanced Trig, let alone use it, but I will use what I have learned in
this class every day of my life." Teachers find it frustrating that
their course work is sometimes considered a frill. A major obstacle to having all students participate in
these essential classes is the misconception that they are not necessary for
the college bound. Yet, the need for parenting and other life preparation is quite clear
for ALL students, and those courses available are highly attended. To ensure
availability in your district, contact
family and consumer
sciences staff at your local school and district to provide encouragement and
support. Advocate through letters or testimony to your
school boards, legislators, and State Department of Education.
National
Standards
Competency-based National Standards for Family and Consumer
Sciences Education serve as guidelines throughout the country to ensure
comprehensive quality programs that align with academic standards in math,
science and language arts. Several standards
address various aspects of the family and parenting. One standard focuses
entirely on “Parenting,” another on "Early Childhood, Education, and
Services."
The comprehensive content standards include program
competencies, or performance indicators, providing quantifiable objectives for instruction
and assessment. To further assist educators in developing curriculum, academic
proficiencies associated with instruction in this content area have also been
identified. In addition, in the interest of fostering critical thinking,
relevant process questions, scenarios, and contextual learning are included for each of the content
standards.
FAMILY
AND CONSUMER SCIENCES RESOURCES:
(See also
Textbooks/Multimedia at www.preparetomorrowsparents.org/texts.htm)
National Standards for Family and
Consumer Sciences Education
(including
national standards for parenting education)
www.facse.org/
provides a brief summary. Email hetherly@facse.org
for information about
obtaining the detailed version.
National Standards for Teachers
Beginning
in 2002, the officers of National Association of Teacher Educators of Family and
Consumer Sciences (NATEFACS) coordinated an effort to develop National
Standards for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences. A more formal
publication with additional information will be available by the end of 2005.
This link provides the initial document and explanation of its development.
www.natefacs.org/nationalstandards.htm
Family
and consumer sciences professionals belong to several national organizations.
The following comprise the National Coalition for Family and Consumer Sciences
Education.
American Association of Family and
Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)
This
is by far the largest of the groups, with 12,000 members, and affiliates in
every state.
400 N. Columbus Street, Suite 202,
Alexandria, VA 22314; phone: 703-706-4600;
toll-free: 800.424.8080 fax: 703-706‑4663;
email: info@aafcs.org; web: www.aafcs.org/.
Contact:
Marilyn Swierk, msinnovate@aol.com, CFCS,
CFLE, AAFCS Vice President of Program and former
AAFCS Chair, Elementary, Secondary and Adult Education Section, as well as The
Parenting Project’s Vice President of Programming.
Association for
Career and Technical Education (ACTE): Family and Consumer Sciences Division
This group
is one of the largest divisions within ACTE.
Contact: Karen Mason, ACTE Vice President of Family
and Consumer Sciences Education Division; East
Newton High School, 22876 East Highway 86, Granby, MO 64844; email: masonk@enr6.k12.mo.us
The following groups are part of the Family and Consumer Sciences
Division:
Contact: Judith Hetherly;
The National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer
Sciences (NATFACS)
Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Association (FCSEA)
This
organization is part of, and supports, the National Education Association.
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of
This
is a nonprofit national vocational student organization for young men and women
in Family and Consumer Sciences education in public and private schools through
grade 12.
It
began as Future Homemakers of America more than fifty
years ago.
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& Consumer Science|
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