Career Standards & Assessments Menu

Headlines list issues daily which support the fact we live in a complex society. We live in a world that demands skills in critical thinking, problem solving, management and flexibility along with respect, collaboration and understanding. Students are no different as they are members of families, communities, and the workplace. They need to be able to act responsibly and productively to synthesize information from multiple sources, to work cooperatively with others, and to make informed decisions about all aspects of their lives. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) has been focused upon this work for over 100 years. And through the decades, the field has transitioned to (and will continue to transition) to meet the needs of society transitions. See below how Kansas FCS is striving to build success skills in middle and high school youth to live in this ever changing world. From social and emotional development to civic leadership and career preparation, FCS develops life literacy to promote students ability to be successful, which can also impact their community and society as a whole.

The Mission of Family and Consumer Sciences Education: 

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education prepares students for family life, work life, and careers in Family and Consumer Sciences through:

• Strengthening the well-being of individuals and families across the life span.
• Becoming responsible citizens and leaders in multiple settings.
• Promoting optimal nutrition and wellness across the life span.
• Managing resources to meet their own and families material needs.
• Balancing personal, family, and work lives.
• Using critical and creative thinking to address problems in diverse family, community, and work environments.
• Developing successful life management skills.
• Functioning effectively as providers and consumers of goods and services.
• Appreciating human worth and accepting responsibility for one's actions leading to a more success personal and work life.

Kansans Can and Family and Consumer Sciences:
The Kansans Can vision “Kansas will lead the work in the success of each student” has many components, but the most foundational is social and emotional learning. Social emotional learning is “the process through which students acquire the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions; set and achieve positive goals; feel and show empathy for others; establish and maintain positive relationships; and make responsible decisions.” An additional Kansans Can vision component is civic engagement where students lead initiatives to address issues to improve their lives, their families, communities, nation and the world. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) are directly aligned and are best practice for social emotional learning and civic engagement. See the following two documents which can be shared with local decision makers about these connections.

Program FCS Standards and Course Competencies:
Kansas FCS Education is based upon the Family and Consumer Sciences state and national standards forming a comprehensive instructional model which is project-based, student centered and 21st century process skill focused. Kansas FCS with industry and non-profit partners have developed locally developed competencies linking to life literacy and workforce needs. (The National FCS Education standards can be reviewed at NASAFACS. The Kansas level FCS Education secondary standards can be reviewed here.)

Life Literacy and Career Pathways Connections:
FCS Education addresses content knowledge and skills through foundational life literacy instruction at the middle and secondary levels as well as workforce training related to the Education and Training, Hospitality and Tourism, Human Services and Visual Arts career pathways. Refer to the related links in the FCS menu for more about these initiatives.

Career Ready Practices:
FCS Educators address the Common Career and Technical Core (CCTC) career ready practices and 21st century process skills through direct instruction in goal setting, problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, decision making, management, leadership and cooperation in family, work and community applications. This is achieved through strategic opportunities between the FCS classroom and the Family, Community and Career Leaders of America or FCCLA student organization. (For related information regarding the career ready practices, see: Career Ready Practices.)