About Coalition


The overall goal of the National Coalition for Family and Consumer Sciences Education is to increase communication and project a unified voice and focus on family and consumer sciences education issues.

History

The National Coalition for Family and Consumer Sciences Education was established in 1977 in response to the need for professionals to speak with one voice on issues related to Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Initially membership of the group included two voting representatives from each of the three professional organizations in Family and Consumer Sciences. They are the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and the Family and Consumer Sciences Education Association (FCSEA). One non-voting representative from the national student organization, Family Career and Community Leaders of America was added in 2001. In 2006 the three professional organizations approved a request from the Board of Directors of Family Career and Community Leaders of America to have two adult representatives with voting privileges as members of the group.

The overall goal, to increase communication and project a unified thrust and focus on issues, provides the foundation for the work of the Coalition. The Coalition has the responsibility to:

Maintain continuous dialogue among professional organizations concerned with Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

  • Identify issues having impact on Family and consumer Sciences Education.
  • Review positions on current issues relation to Family and Consumer Sciences Education and facilitate consensus among the organizations.
  • Develop statements regarding Family and Consumer Sciences Education which will serve as a basis for professional action.
  • Communicate issues and positions concerning Family and Consumer Sciences to various target groups.

The Coalition serves as a clearinghouse for policy or position statements developed by any one of the organizations. Consensus on a position reached by the Coalition will be communicated to the governing boards of the three organizations.

Membership

Selection of members to the coalition is the discrete responsibility of each respective organization. Membership terms are staggered with the two representatives from each organization appointed in a different year, for a three year term. One or more advisors may serve as non-voting members when approved by majority vote of the Coalition.

Initiatives

Much of the activity of the Coalition focuses on providing leadership for the development of state and federal policy concerning Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

Examples include:

  • Drafting language for new legislation.
  • Educating policymakers about Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
  • Apprising professional association members of legislative issues and timelines.
  • Identifying and collecting data needed for policy formation.
  • Supporting implementation of National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Teacher Education.
  • Participating in the revision of Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Codes developed by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES).
  • Establishing a national archival coordination system for Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
  • Developing printed materials and strategies to promote the value of Family and Consumer Sciences at local, state, and national levels.

Meetings

The Coalition holds meetings in conjunction with the annual conventions of AAFCS, ACTE, and the ACTE National Policy Seminar. Other meetings and conference calls are scheduled as needed. Minutes of all meetings are kept by a recording secretary and shared with the presidents and executive directors of the sponsoring organizations as well as with the AAFCS Director of Public Policy and the ACTE Government Relations Director.

Contact Information

National Coalition for Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Carol Werhan, Chair
Director of Clinical and Field Experiences
Minnesota State University
College of Education
119 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-1123