| The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of secondary home economics teachers concerning the adequacy of their home economics education preparation. Further, it was to determine the perceptions of secondary home economics teachers pertaining to current trends and social problems affecting the home economics teaching profession, and to determine the areas of need for continuing education/inservice experiences.;The results of the study indicated at least 60 percent of the respondents felt well prepared in the field of knowledge in home economics. However, an average of 40 percent of the respondents felt well prepared in the common body of knowledge in professional education.;A high level of awareness of trends was indicated by secondary home economics teachers. Ninety percent of the respondents expressed an awareness of trends and social problems affecting the home economics teaching profession. In addition, the respondents ranked the importance of the twenty-six trends and social problems; the five trends with the highest rating were: (1) single-parent and dual working parent families, (2) human relationships, (3) family communication, (4) child abuse and neglect, and (5) decision making skills.;Areas of continuing education/inservice needs were also ranked by the secondary home economics teachers. Thirty-five continuing education/inservice needs were ranked. The five highest ratings were: (1) family communication, (2) ability to handle stress, (3) human relationships, (4) single-parent and dual working parent families, and (5) child abuse and neglect.;Secondary home economics teachers from selected southwestern states--Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah--were surveyed. A cover letter and questionnaire were sent to three hundred two subjects. Two hundred seventy-two questionnaires were returned, giving a 90 percent return rate. The data were analyzed for each research question.;Rankings of trends and social problems among the secondary home economics teachers were compared with those of the experts in the home economics profession. There was not a significant difference between the two groups. |
