Tech Directions - November 2008 - (Page 4)

technically speaking Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com Last month, I wrote about an article in the Christian Science Monitor that refuted the notion that all students need a four-year-college degree to achieve a secure and well-remunerated future. In that article, former teacher and teacher educator Walt Gardner argued convincingly that many with a high-quality technical education— whose work cannot be outsourced—will actually have greater success in the new global economy. Gardner also raised another important concern about the “college for all” push: that a primarily academic curriculum may well increase the dropout rate. In my state, for example, there are signs that the requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum may drive many young people away from school. Derrick Fries, assistant professor of education at Eastern Michigan University, predicts that the state will have a 300% increase in the number of students who drop out, as some quit school rather than struggle through what seems an irrelevant curriculum. Already, one county is reporting that 25% of its 9thgraders (the ﬁrst who must complete the new curriculum) have failed at least one core class required for graduation. If the trend continues, as Fries predicts, it could mean up to 600,000 of Michigan’s students leaving school without diplomas every year—a disaster for both our young people and the state’s economy. Walt Gardner’s state, California, like many others, also requires of students, as Gardner writes, “a rigidly prescribed sequence of courses that too often are not in line with their needs and interests.” At the top of the list is Algebra 1, and California is already seeing the harm caused by the requirement. Currently, just over half of the state’s 8th-graders are taking the course, yet according to Gardner, “the requirement has singularly resulted in an increase in the dropout rate beyond the 24.2% in the 200607 school year.” Gardner notes that the state’s superintendent of public instruction has warned that the requirement sets all of California’s schools up for failure. Gardner adds that thousands of students will not be allowed to enroll in courses that could improve their future prospects because they must pass Algebra 1 before enrolling in career and technical education courses. (This unintended consequence seems so threatening that the state manufacturers and building trades associations have jointly denounced the requirement.) I’m pleased to be able to write that here in Michigan a state representative, Joel Sheltrown, has introduced legislation to give all students access to a more relevant education by providing the opportunity to count rigorous CTE courses toward graduation. “Success in the global economy will not come from graduating cookie-cutter kids,” says Sheltrown. We can hope that one result of this month’s election will be an increase in the number of elected ofﬁcials who express—and act on—similar views. A Prakken Publications Magazine Digital Tech Directions (ISSN 1940-3100) is published monthly, except June and July, by Prakken Publications, Inc., 832 Phoenix Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Executive, editorial, and advertising ofﬁces are at PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623, telephone 734-975-2800; fax 734-975-2787. Vol. 68, No. 4. Board of Directors Turalee A. Barlow, George F. Kennedy, Janice E. Knope, Susanne Peckham Publisher George F. Kennedy Assistant Publisher & Business Mgr. Turalee A. Barlow, tbarlow@techdirections.com Managing Editor Susanne Peckham, susanne@ techdirections.com Associate Editor Pam Moore, pam@techdirections.com Art, Design, and Production Manager Sharon K. Miller Advertising Sales Representatives Tonya L. White, 800-530-9673 x209, tonya@techdirections.com Matt Knope, 800-530-9673 x200, matt@techdirections.com Richard J. Alden, 603-899-3010, fax: 603-899-2343. rjalden@ techdirections.com David A. Yetman, 603-878-4705;dyetman@techdirections.com Subscription Dept. Vanessa Revelli, vanessa@techdirections. com, 800-530-9673 x217 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Michael Fitzgerald, Technology Education Specialist, Ofﬁce of Career and Technical Education, Indiana Dept. of Education, Indianapolis, IN Paul Koontz, President, Denford Inc., Medina, OH Ed Prevatt, School Specialist, National Center for Construction Education and Research, Gainesville, FL John Roccanova, Technology Education, Webutuck Central School, Amenia, NY Mark Schwendau, Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL Kendall N. Starkweater, Executive Director,International Technology Education Association, Reston, VA PEER REVIEW BOARD Gregory G. Belcher, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technical Teacher Education, Pittsburg State University, KS Daniel M. Claiborne, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Sam Cotton, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Ball State University, Muncie, IN Ronald F. Gonzales, Ph.D., ASE, Program Chair, Technology Teacher Education Professor, Brigham Young University, UT Clarke Homoly, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Aviation, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg Robert T. Howell, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Robert D. Mordini, Ed.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Richard Phillips, Ed.D., Division Chair, Technologies Division, Mountain Empire Community College, VA Joseph Scarcella, Ph.D., Professor of Education, California State University, San Bernadino Mark S. Schwendau, M.S., Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL Bert Siebold, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Industrial & Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Chris Zirkle, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, College of Education, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Subscriptions: individuals: $30 per year; $55 two years; Canadian and foreign: add $10 per year. Canadian GST #R126213487. Single copies $3. Group rate for students in teacher-training insti-tutions available upon request. Periodicals postage paid at Ann Arbor, MI, and additional mailing ofﬁces. Printed in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address information to Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts should be addressed to: Editor, Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts become property of Tech Directions upon letter of acceptance to author and signed copyright release form. Payment made on publication. Electronic copies of back issues available from ProQuest Information and Learning, www.il.proquest.com. Microform copies available from NAPC, www.napubco.com ©2008 by Prakken Publications, Inc. 4 techdirections ◆ NOVEMBER 2008 http://www.il.proquest.com http://www.napubco.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - November 2008

Tech Directions - November 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct fromWashington The Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Exploring Engineering—Pros Can Help Make It Real Challenge Students to Design an Energy-Efficient Home CTE Teacher Succession—Insuring a Smooth Transition Reservoir High’s TE Site Wins Web Site of the Month ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo— Racing Toward Charlotte Hands-On Activities More than Fun

Tech Directions - November 2008

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