NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
PDF on ERIC Download full text
ERIC Number: EJ1247556
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2331-4702
EISSN: N/A
The Demise of Traditional Technology and Engineering Education Teacher Preparation Programs and a New Direction for the Profession
Volk, Kenneth
Journal of Technology Education, v31 n1 p2-18 Fall 2019
For nearly 40 years, there has been a serious decline in the number of new technology and engineering education teachers and teacher preparation programs in the United States (Akmal, Oaks, & Barker, 2002; Daugherty & Boser, 1993; Edmunds, 1980; Greene, 2016; Moye, 2009; Volk, 1993). Currently, only 15% of the technology and engineering education degree-granting university programs remain since 1970, with nearly half of those remaining barely surviving with three or fewer students graduating annually (Rogers, 2017; Wall, 1970). Perhaps most telling about the health of technology and engineering education is the following question: With nearly half the states no longer having a technology and engineering education teacher preparation program, how can it continue to be considered a "legitimate" subject to be taught in schools? Declines in the number of technology and engineering education teachers and teacher preparation programs since the 1970s show no signs of abating. There are several reasons for this continued decline. First, the transformation of technology and engineering education programs to industrial technology and engineering eliminated the need to accommodate the preparation of teachers or continue their past mission. Second, those few technology and engineering education programs that still exist may not reflect the reality of many school programs, creating a mismatch between content and expectations when recruiting new student teachers. Finally, with justifications for technology and engineering education and its inclusion in the broader science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) umbrella being based on economic justifications and national standards, there has been an increase in corporate-driven and foundation-sanctioned technology and engineering education programs. Of particular focus is Project Lead the Way (PLTW), who's training for their program (product) reduces the need for traditional technology and engineering education teacher preparation programs. This article first examines recent trends in technology and engineering education teacher preparation programs in the United States, including the number of graduates and university programs available. Following a discussion of the aforementioned impacts on technology and engineering education teacher programs, a summation is provided, contending that the few traditional teacher preparation programs that remain are in jeopardy and that new teachers in technology and engineering education will likely come through alternative means such as PLTW.
Journal of Technology Education. Illnois State University. 215 Turner Hall, Campus Box 5100, Normal, IL 61790. Web site: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A