Faculty of Education - Theses

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Author: Fordyce-Voorham, Sandra P. × Start date: 1974 × Type: Masters Research thesis × Subject: Curricula ×

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    Image of home economics and its market position in secondary schools
    Fordyce-Voorham, Sandra P. ( 2003)
    The aim of this study was to identify the image of the subject Home Economics in relation to its market position within secondary schools. For the purposes of this research project, market position was measured by the number of students who proceeded with Home Economics as a senior course of study at the VCE level. With a predicted shortage of Home Economics teachers, it was important to establish students' perception of the subject as they are the potential undergraduates for the teaching profession of Home Economics. Teacher views were also important to determine whether their perception of Home Economics was the same as that of students. A mixed-method approach of data collection was selected. A survey was conducted amongst Home Economics teachers who were members of the Victorian Home Economics and Textiles Teachers' Association. Qualitative data were obtained from one teacher focus group and two student focus groups from independent schools. The most significant finding of the research was that the image of Home Economics amongst students was positive but also depended on the promotion of the subject by the Home Economics teacher in that school. It was also found that it was not image of the subject that determined its market position but the lower scaling of the subject in relation to other VCE subjects, particularly those perceived as `academic'. Thus, the `academic' status of Home Economics was found to be the critical factor determining whether or not students chose the subject at senior levels. This issue must be addressed in order to encourage more students to elect Home Economics so that the, potential pool of Home Economics undergraduates increases.