SYRACUSE, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- While many students and teachers spent last summer relaxing, a group of dedicated Family and Consumer Sciences teachers from across New York State spent weeks rewriting and updating the Home and Career Skills curriculum for all middle school students to experience in New York State beginning in the fall of 2006.
"The mission of Family and Consumer Science Education is to help students become confident, competent and caring in managing their personal, work and family lives," said Shirley Ware, President of the New York State Association of Family and Consumer Science Educators.
According to Ware, "We teach skills for life, including financial fitness, career planning, leadership and management skills, community service, nutrition, human development, violence prevention, child development, parenting and entrepreneurship. We have worked for the better part of 2005 to bring state curriculum guidelines into line with the current and future needs of our students as well as technological advances."
Ware noted several demographic trends that necessitate increased emphasis on skills for life. "We have more single person households in America than at any other time. We have more single parent families and more people marrying and having children later in life. Obesity and longevity are creating new nutritional and medical challenges. Family and Consumer Sciences courses often provide the only opportunity for many students to learn to balance a checkbook, apply for a job, and properly care for themselves and others."
Alan Silverman of the New York State Education Department praised the efforts and work product of the teachers. Silverman stated, "This dedicated group of professionals has provided a curriculum guide that makes New York State a model for Family and Consumer Sciences Education in the nation. We are proud of the work done by our Family and Consumer Sciences teachers. The students of New York State will benefit from their effort," said Mr. Silverman.
The New York State Association of Family and Consumer Science Educators represents over one thousand Family and Consumer Sciences teachers throughout New York State.
For more information and to view the new Home and Career Skills document, please visit the association's website at: http://www.nysafcse.org/