Family and Consumer Sciences Education

In June 1994, the American Association of Home Economics voted to approve a name change for the profession - from home economics to family and consumer sciences. At the same time, the association changed its name to the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and organized to become known as the source and voice for strong families.

Changes in the profession have brought changes to the classroom. After extensive national self-exploration and examination, the profession redefined future directions for the field. Family and consumer sciences was widely agreed upon as best depicting the profession's shifts from emphasis on technical homemaking skills to strong focus on broader family and society issues. Today's students are the future leaders and members of tomorrow's families, workplaces, and communities. They need to be able to react responsibly and productively, to synthesize knowledge from multiple sources, to work cooperatively, and to apply the highest standards in all aspects of their lives. The knowledge base of family and consumer sciences is generated by concern with an area of problems - the problems of the home and family. Today, family and consumer sciences addresses the issues of family communication, parenting and child development, the balance of work and family, nutrition, and management of personal finances.

The mission of family and consumer sciences education is to prepare students for family life, work life, and careers in family and consumer sciences by providing opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed for:

• Strengthening the well-being of individuals and families across the life span

• Becoming responsible citizens and leaders in family, community, and work settings

• Promoting optimal nutrition and wellness across the life span

• Managing resources to meet the material needs of individuals and families

• Balancing personal, home, family, and work lives

• Using critical and creative thinking skills to address problems in diverse family, community, and work environments

• Successful life management, employment, and career development

• Functioning effectively as providers and consumers of goods and services

• Appreciating human worth and accepting responsibility for one's actions and success in family and work life

The Rhode Island Family and Consumer Sciences Framework (RI FCS Framework) is a guide intended to catalyze curriculum development and instructional decision making at district and school levels. Key life issues are presented as questions in the document. When these questions are used as the basis for building a curriculum, the critical science "practical problem" approach develops naturally as students and instructors explore ways to answer the questions. Content area standards are included for six areas: personal development, resource management, nutrition/wellness, family relations, parenting and child development, and life planning.

The National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FACS National Standards) present a vision for the future and provide family and consumer science educators with a structure for identifying what learners should be able to do. The FACS National Standards are based on the knowledge and skills needed for home and family life as well as those needed to succeed in related careers. These comprehensive standards are designed to encompass the variety that exists among state philosophies and to accommodate various approaches to standards and educational delivery systems. The FACS National Standards can be purchased through the V-TECS Web site, vtecs.home.mindspring.com; phone: (800) 248-7701, ext 543.

RI family and consumer sciences teachers will receive the FACS National Standards when they participate in approved standards-based instruction and assessment workshops.