This document is designed to assist in development of state plans for action for consumer education. Its purpose is to serve as a catalyst for new and expanded public-private partnerships among state and local leaders that strengthen consumer education in the schools. Section 1 defines consumer education, discusses consumer concepts, and lists consumer education objectives. Section 2 provides a rationale for consumer education and focuses on deficiencies shown by results of tests measuring the consumer competency of adults and high school and college students. Section 3 on consumer education in the schools highlights current mandates and policies and describes advantages and disadvantages of four curriculum approaches to K-12 consumer education: separate course, integrated into existing subject, integrated into several existing subjects, and integrated into existing subjects with a capstone course. Section 4 discusses four essential ingredients to the success of statewide programs: commitment, leadership, compromise, and coordination. The final section presents five steps in the process of establishing a partnership: organize action group, assess current situation, create action plan, implement plan, and follow up. Appendixes include a diagram of the concepts identified in Section 1 and their relationships; a sample of suggested activities to strengthen and expand consumer education; highlights of actual partnerships and the successful programs; and a list of 78 print and organizational sources of additional information. (Contains 12 references.) (YLB)