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Will Students Ever Learn Economic Principles? Are They Really That ObTUCE?

Author

Listed:
  • Jeffrey J. Green

    (Department of Economics, Ball State University)

  • Courtenay C. Stone

    (Department of Economics, Ball State University)

  • DeVon Yoho

    (Department of Economics, Ball State University)

  • Abera Zegeye

    (Department of Economics, Ball State University)

Abstract

The Test of Understanding in College Economics (TUCE), created in 1968 and revised in 1981, 1991 and 2007, is widely used to assess students’ understanding of economics principles and for research into teaching methods. In this article, we examine the student scores used to “norm” the TUCE post-tests (taken at the end of the course) to assess their understanding of economic principles from 1968 to 2007. Our analysis yields two general conclusions. First, their understanding is extremely low—more than 70 percent of the students who normed the TUCE post-tests would have earned a D or F on these tests. Second, students’ understanding has declined substantially—the proportion of students who would have earned a D or F has risen from 78 percent in 1968 to 93 percent in 2007.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey J. Green & Courtenay C. Stone & DeVon Yoho & Abera Zegeye, 2013. "Will Students Ever Learn Economic Principles? Are They Really That ObTUCE?," Working Papers 201302, Ball State University, Department of Economics, revised Sep 2013.
    • Handle: RePEc:bsu:wpaper:201303
    as

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    File URL: http://econfac.bsu.edu/research/workingpapers/bsuecwp201303green.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. William B. Walstad & Ken Rebeck, 2008. "The Test of Understanding of College Economics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(2), pages 547-551, May.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    TUCE; student performance in economics principles; economic education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate

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