Abstract: The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the cognitive abilities of students enrolled in occupational Home Economics courses; and, (2) relate cognitive abilities to selected students characteristics as age, gender, GPA, and Learning Style. The population for the study was the Home Economics students enrolled in occupational courses in San Juan and Bayamon Regions, Puerto Rico (N = 191). The response rate was 71% (n = 135). Of the 135 students, 103 were females, and 32 were males. The ages ranges from 15 to 25 years old and the students were from ninth to twelfth grade. The study was descriptive and correlational. Three instruments were used to measure the dependent variable cognitive abilities and the independent variables age, gender, GPA, and learning style. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simultaneous multiple regression was used to explain variance in the dependent variable through a linear combination of the independent variables. Descriptors recommended by Davis (1971) were used. The major findings of the study were: (1) Home Economics students lack application and critical thinking abilities skills; (2) Home Economics students tend to be field dependent learners; (3) there was a negligible relationship between learning style and gender; and, (4) there was a low positive relationship between learning styles and the academic achievement of the students. The major recommendations for practice were: (1) reevaluate the curriculum of the Home Economics program to include experiences in the problem solving approach to enhance the higher order thinking capabilities of learners; (2) teachers must become knowledgeable about learning styles of students; (3) teachers must use a variety of teaching methods and strategies to reach every student in the classroom; and, (4) in-service training must be developed to help teachers identify teaching methods and strategies that fulfill the weakest areas and strengthen areas related to cognitive abilities and learning styles of students. Recommendation for further research included: (1) replication of this study with a larger sample of Home Economics students; (2) replication of this study with other vocational programs; (3) the learning styles of students and the relationship with performance in the occupation; and, (4) the effects of using problem solving approach on cognitive abilities of students.

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