The Effectiveness of the High School Progam in Home Economics: A Report of a Five-Year Study of Twenty Minnesota Schools

The Effectiveness of the High School Program in Home Economics was first published in 1952.Because the goals of home economics have changed markedly within recent years, facts are needed to chart its future course. This report presents more pertinent facts than any previous study of home economics in the public schools.The report is based on a five-year study, from 1943 to 1948, of the home economics program in twenty Minnesota high schools, a study which Mrs. Arny directed. The report discusses the strong and the weak points of the home economics program, shows the factors which seem to influence its effectiveness, and suggests ways in which the program may be improved. Appraisals were made by means of a wide variety of techniques and evaluations made at intervals during the study determined the extend of improvements made in the schools.A significant aspect of the study was an examination of the facilities and effectiveness of homemaking instruction in schools which received reimbursement from state and federal vocational funds. Data from these schools were compared with data from similar schools not receiving the subsidy. Recommendations - admittedly provocative and probably controversial - are based upon the results of the analyses of these data.This report should be stimulating and helpful to school administrators, home economics teachers and supervisors, government officials, and parent and civic groups who wish to improve homemaking education.