Economic Literacy Levels of Social Studies Teacher Candidates

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of economic literacy – an important component of being a goodcitizen – among seniors studying at social studies teacher program which aims at cultivating good citizens and to findout its relationships in terms of various variables. The quantitative sample of the study was comprised of 726 seniorteacher candidates studying at Social Studies Teacher Education Program of the universities from seven differentregions in 2013-2014 academic year. The qualitative sample included 436 teacher candidates from the quantitativesample. An Economic Literacy Questionnaire was used to determine the economic literacy levels of teachercandidates and the questionnaire was made up of 3 sections as personal data form, economic literacy test and astudent opinion form on the topics of economic literacy. The results from the study revealed that economic literacylevels of social studies teacher candidates were found to be moderate, which also seemed to be supported by theresponses of teacher candidates. Based on the results, it is thought to be helpful to increase the number of economicsclasses in the undergraduate program in order to the increase the economic literacy levels of teacher candidates.