1. “I’m New to the Profession: Now What?”
Gayla Randel, KAFCS Affiliate President
KSDE Ed. Program Consultant—FCS

2. To look forward, we must look back….
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

3. The evolution of our field…
1820s—The industrialization of textiles allowed women to become shoppers and consumers. 1860’s—Land Grant Universities were founded. About this time the field related to “womens’ work” was developing. Many drafted their own curriculum/text from experience. Hence, this started the first of many conflicting views of the field…
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

4. Some felt the need to learn how to manage a home to be better able to oversee the staff, others felt that was the exact reason why it was not needed….staff will do the work. Many of the first texts/curriculum were from experience not science, hence the belief it was not quality instruction. In other examples, the art of baking was seen as value due to the ability to examine the science of the process rather than the baking of bread, others felt how can you study it without actually baking, again, the conflict of value.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

5. Ellen Swallow Richards
At the same time,
Ellen lived at a time when society was changing.
The industrial revolution began.
Ellen was in the middle of it.
Ellen Swallow Richards
UAC Session--March 9, 2012
Intro
ED of TDI is my paid job.

6. Ellen was a scientist, a philosopher. Ellen was action oriented.
Ellen was a leader, trend setter and problem solver.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

7. Ellen was a women of “firsts” .
She was the first female student/graduate and teacher at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Ellen
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

8. She addressed food safety, water quality and safe home environments through courses designed specifically for women.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

9. The foundation of the field was on science and research…
And also on the management of a household

10. And hence the two strands were at odds…
Research and Science Strand
Life Style Strand
Lead to the recognition of food, clothing, family relationships are fit for academic study which developed into nutrition, interior design, child development.
The other dreamed of efficient households.
This effort gave the field it’s reputation for being irrelevant and/or not of value to the public as a whole.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

11. The 1960’s….
Home Economics became “outdated” and a symbol of gender stereotyping…something to avoid, not model.
The link to research and science was not recognized by some institutions and society in general.
The “need” for such courses began to see the move from being important to being a “joke”.
In actuality, the field began to once again transition to meet needs of the day through consumer education, child development, foods and nutrition and interior and textiles.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

12. The naming of the profession…
It was the last 1890’s when Ellen named this new field where science and research was applied as:
Oekology, then
Euthenics, then
Home Ecology, then
Home Economics.
The field found itself
changing it’s name once
again in 1994 to Family and
Consumer Sciences.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

13. Family and Consumer Sciences firsts…
Tied bacteriology to sanitation practices,
Nutrients to health issues,
Food preparation skills to nutrition,
Child development to child rearing,
Stressed the practical applications of the abstract,
Addresses the needs of the day (a fluid profession),
Promotes the process AND the knowledge through actual experiences and strategic education in processing information.
Has added the career clusters revolving around meeting the essential needs of people and their environments,
Once more, seeing future needs and how to address it…
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

14. Ultimately….
The problem still remains…how to value our domestic lives in relation to work for money in a country that says “family values” are important, but pushes it’s citizens to succeed financially at all costs. AND even though the U.S. appears uninterested in education related to home life (i.e. home economics) they exhibit a voracious appetite for the commodity…. (In fact Home Economics helped create this market.)
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

15. Current Issues 21st Century Skills
And Family and Consumer Sciences addresses…..
Current Issues
21st Century Skills

16. Personal and Family Wellness March, 1996
“Because of the rapid changes both technological and social, it is becoming less possible to operate our lives effectively using old paradigms. The learners today will be living in a society that will require its citizens to think constructively, make sound decisions, solve problems, access information and take responsibility for their own lives. The educational challenge is to build essential skills for learners in preparation for adult life”
Family and Consumer Sciences identified and embedded “Process Skill” opportunities which are the fundamental activities or strategies which enable one to reach desired outcomes.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

17. FACS Eight Process skills…
Cooperative learning: Working together toward a common end.
Decision Making: Selecting from alternatives after gathering information and weighing alternatives and consequences.
Problem solving: Analyzing and resolving both everyday and complex situations. (i.e. practical problems)
Leadership: Facilitating group interaction in order to solve problems and gain commitment to common goals.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

18. Creativity: Using resources in order to produce or invent new things and ideas.
Critical Thinking: Reflectively deciding what to believe or what to do.
Goal Setting: Combining needs, wants, and values to determine desired immediate and long term achievements.
Management: Implementing and evaluating the use of resources (material, time, and energy) to achieve goals.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

19. “eGauge 21st Century skills”
In 2003, the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (US Dept of Education) developed “eGauge 21st Century Skills” when determining needed essential workforce skills (outside of technical skills).
Research identified four primary skill areas needed:
Digital literacy
Inventive thinking
Effective communication
High productivity
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

20. “Partnership for 21st century skills”
In 2007, “The Partnership” defined a framework of 21st century teaching and learning, the newest reshaping of educational learning.
Creativity and Innovation
Critical thinking and Problem Solving
Communication and Collaboration
Information and Media Literacy
Flexibility/Adaptability
Initiative and Self-Direction
Social/Cultural Skills
Productivity/Accountability
Leadership/Responsibility
Employment/Career Development
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

21. 21st Century skills to process skills connection (direct)
Creativity and Innovation
Critical thinking and Problem Solving
Communication and Collaboration
Information and Media Literacy
Flexibility/Adaptability
Initiative and Self-Direction
Social/Cultural Skills
Productivity/Accountability
Leadership/Responsibility
Employment/Career Development
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

22. 21st Century skills to process skills connection (indirect)
Creativity and Innovation
Critical thinking and Problem Solving
Communication and Collaboration
Information and Media Literacy
Flexibility/Adaptability
Initiative and Self-Direction
Social/Cultural Skills
Productivity/Accountability
Leadership/ Responsibility
Employment/Career Development
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

23. Current Issues
STEM

24. STEM is the…
Integration of science, technology , engineering and mathematics together, not learned in separate silos.
Teaching of concepts in projects-based learning experiences, rather than just talking about them.
Application of these principles in real world applications rather than as abstract concepts.
Promotion of careers in which this integrated approach is the norm.
Need to develop strong “soft skills” along with the technical skills.
(Soources: “Making STEM Real”, Educational Leadership, Vol. 68 No. 6 March ,2011; “STEM Strategy Session”, Kansas Enrichment Network, July, 2010)
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

25. Soft skills needed by the STEM workforce…
Strong math and science skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Strong teamwork skills
Strong Leadership skills
Creative problem-solving skills
Time Management and organizational skills
Ability to follow detailed directions
Curiosity and imagination
Experience with computers and high-tech tools
The desire to learn new things every day.
(Source: “STEM Edition--A Guide to Goals After Graduation”, 2010, Pg. 29 )
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

26. FCS teachers have background in…
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Philosophy
Theology
Administration and Management
Customer and Personal Service
Communications and Media
Therapy and Counseling
(Source: “Summary Report for —Home Economics Teachers”)
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

27. FCS…
Promotes the development of soft skills through the 21st century process skills education that directly impact STEM including : (examples)
Verbal Communication —Relationship Education; FCCLA
Teamwork/Leadership /Time Management —Class projects completed in teams in all courses; FCCLA
Ability to follow detailed instructions —Technical reading projects, Professional Learning Experiences
Creative Problem Solving —Case studies in which practical problem solving have no one answer
Strong Science skills —Food Science labs; Nutrition labs
Curiosity and Imagination —Early child development interactions and labs.
Experience with Technology and Tools—Access to and use of a variety of FCS related industry equipment/software.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

28. STEM with FCS applications…(examples)
Interior Design Examples:
Interior Designers are involved in the design of spaces which address the interactions of humans with their living environments (NASA).
Universal design allowing one to remain in housing through lifespan.
New technological devices to make our personal lives easier.
Environmental practices.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

29. Apparel and Textile Examples:
Textile research is looking at sustainability in production and “green” processes.
Textile finishes which address concerns.
Kansas State University won a national competition to design a glove for the NASA program.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

30. Food Science Examples: Human nutrition and dietetics
Sensory analysis includes applications in shelf –life, product development and quality control.
Food safety provides science-based solutions to problems impacting food safety (and storage).
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

31. Parenting/Child Development Examples:
Early STEM learning can be successful if developmentally appropriate.
Early STEM skills can be promoted through planned activities and toys.
Early STEM skills can be promoted in children through educated parents.
Early STEM skills can be promoted in early child care centers.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

32. Current Issues
Societal Issues

33. FCS Education as a prevention strategy:
Research proves that when your personal life is in order, work life is affected. FCS Education promotes the 21st century skills as they relate to balancing work and family. FCS Education is connected to nine career clusters and twelve pathways.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

34. FCS Education is the only CTE department with a focus upon the Human Services pathways that address the essential needs of children and families. FCS Education promotes the healthy self of the student including financial, physical, and social health.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

35. Current Issues…
In the future

36. Issues that are developing (and there are others…)
Health care legislation and consumer decisions
2014 last transition of legislation
Changing demographics of the US population
Minority shift to majority
Multi-racial families
Aging workforce/legal guardians
Gender role transitions
Move to Sustainable living and green technologies
Resource conservation related to product development and living practices.
Moving to renewable energies and transitioning living practices.
Water conservation issues
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

37. Issues of Concern:

38. Need for FCS in Kansas:
Students learn about Family and Consumer Sciences careers through their FCS education classes and/or 4-H program.
Of the teachers who completed the May, 2011 survey, 46% have 21 or more years of experience.
Three of four teachers have at least the Family and Community Service pathway in place.
Kansas has 108 teachers expected to retire or leave their present positions with the next 5 years.
School districts are making decisions to eliminate FCS positions (51.5 %), middle level have been hardest hit.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

39. Other interesting facts:
85.5% state they do not have the funding needed for classroom activities, labs or teaching supplies/textbooks.
63.1% is concerned about how future funding cuts will affect their departments.
1 in 3 are concerned the department will be closed if they left the positions they have.
Kansas needs 1000 FCS education teachers by 2018.
The U.S. is projecting a need for 552,000 CTE teachers by 2018.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

40. UAC Session--March 9, 2012

41. Now What?
Call to Action

42. Now’s the time to take action
UAC is about bringing the three FCS related organizations together, we need to adopt this same model in supporting each other.
Be willing to contact people to ensure FCS programming remains in schools AND part of extension work.
Promote FCS careers including extension and education.
Be proud of your profession.
Note your personal strengths.
Be consist in your message. (Walk the Talk)
Step up and be a leader, in whatever way you feel fits.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012

43. Be a part of the solution…become a leader.
UAC Session--March 9, 2012