A survey of the opinions of three hundred eighty-nine former homemaking students of Frank M. Black Junior High School concerning their homemaking studies, with implications for improving the curriculum and other school practices

The purpose of the study was to survey opinions of former homemaking students at Frank M. Black Junior High Sohool concerning their homemaking studies with inplications for improving curriculum and other school practices in junior high school homemaking education. The procedure of the study was to investigate, by means of a questionnaire, the home and family life responsibilities of former homemaking students, the area of homemaking in which students had received instruction, the opinions of students regarding their homemaking class activities, and the areas of homemaking in which students would like more study; and to interpret the findings in relation to inferences for improving the junior high school homemaking curriculum. The home responsibilities performed by the participants were principally personal in nature, or assisting in family-centered activities rather than assuming full responsibility for them. The homemaking class units which the former students generally checked as very helpful were "Getting acquainted with each other and the departaent," "Improving my personal appearance," "Learning to make my clothes," and "Learning to prepare meals." Less interest was indicated in "Making improvements in the home," "Diproving my personal relations," "Child care," and "Planning for seasonal activities." Some interest in all areas of homemaking was indicated by the participants of the study in checking the areas in which they desired more study. "Money management" was the highest single item checked; "Improving my personal grooming," "Dressing suitably for all occasions," "Construction of clothing," "Caring for infants and children," and "Meal planning" were all checked by more than half of the participants as areas in which they desired more study. As the eight areas of homemaking were checked not very helpful in relatively low percentages, it would seem that these areas are effective in meeting the needs and interests of junior high school students and should be altered only as specific needs and interests of individual students indicate it should be done. Among Junior high school students, interest is generally much higher in problems of strictly personal concern than in faaaily-centered matters, and these interests should be used to approach more adult attitudes.Home Economics, Department o