I don't know where some of you live that are saying they don't have Home Ec anymore in the schools. Around here...well the schools where my grandchildren go...Home Ec still is required in middle school. One of my grandaughters made a pillow and gave it to her mother for Christmas. Her brother made one too. They also made duffle bags. Then when that grandaughter was in 8th grade they did a craft of making lamps out of popsicle sticks. If you didn't know it you would never know they are popsicle sticks. The lamp is gorgeous. Home Ec cooking class inspired my grandaughter so take Culinary Arts her sophmore year...she will be a junior this year. She is an excellent cook and baker. Being in that class just landed her a great part time job in a retirement home...she's been there 3 weeks and is being promoted to assist the dietician.
My other 2 grandchildren...oldest just graduated and will be off to Penn State in August and her brother will be a sophmore. They go to a different school than the other 2 and both of them had sewing in middle school too.
So in this area of central PA Home Ec is alive and well.