Home economics lives

I have some very good news for Cheryl Wixson of Bangor, the free-lance food writer for the Bangor Daily News. Alixandra Williams’ article on Brownie Schrumpf (BDN, March 5) states that Wixson believes that home economics is not taught in schools anymore. I am pleased to report that she is mistaken. Two facts may be responsible for her error.

It is true that during the school budget difficulties of the late 1980s, some home economics programs were eliminated. Many programs, however, continue to thrive and today make a vital contribution to the educational climate, bringing great rewards to the school systems where their value was recognized.

If Wixson were to examine course catalogs in Maine schools today, she would find no listing for home economics, the familiar term by which these programs were known. Family and consumer sciences is the modern designation because it reflects the shift in emphasis that has occurred in the last 20 years. Since the introduction of the Maine Learning Results, family and consumer sciences is often included with the career prep content area.

This connection shines a spotlight on the relationship between the careers of worker and family member which we represent. In high schools, these courses are electives – students are free to choose them. And they do! Both male and female high school students recognize the value of acquiring skills which will be useful in their roles as parents, wage-earners, consumers and independent citizens. They are eager to take advantage of the opportunity these courses offer.

There are approximately 200 family and consumer sciences educators in Maine middle and high schools today. I hope that will still be true 20 years from now. And yes, sometimes we do still stitch and stir.

Ann M. Durgin, president

Maine Association

of Family and Consumer

Sciences Educators

Family and consumer

sciences teacher

Ellsworth High School