The field of STEM education is an educational framework that has surged in application over the past decade. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is infused in nearly every facet of our society. Filling the gap of current research in middle school career and technical education (CTE) and STEM programs is important as traditional CTE…

Students suffer extreme hardship when their postsecondary education is interrupted or significantly devalued by school closure or misconduct. Private postsecondary education in particular can cost tens of thousands of dollars in tuition, fees, equipment, and required materials. These considerable expenses constitute only part of the economic harm…

This article describes the main institutional features of Australia's TVET sector, focussing particularly on the qualifications framework, how it relates to the labour market, and the role of industry. It also looks briefly at two current policy challenges for Australia. Seeking lessons for other countries in the Asia Pacific region, it discusses…

Research shows that students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely than their peers to finish high school, enter college and complete a degree. This means dual enrollment can greatly benefit students in rural areas, which report lower college-going and postsecondary attainment rates than other locales. However, rural areas face unique…

In 2004, Central Community College (CCC) established the Mechatronics Education Center (MEC), a regional center of excellence, to help the state address the shortage of skilled technicians in the area of industrial automation. The MEC addresses the needs of the current and future workforce through the implementation of its three main components:…

Connected learning using video conferencing, the interactive whiteboard and Web 2.0 tools is possible in the new "interactive classroom" more than 2,240 New South Wales public schools will receive over the next four years. In Australia the New South Wales Department of Education and Training (NSWDET) is delivering $AUS 158 million of…

Governments are currently mobilising their national workforces to compete effectively in a globalised economy where being export-effective and import-competitive are necessary to secure national economic and social goals. Australia is no exception here. Yet, in this country, as in others, similar mobilisations occurred in earlier times, most…

As the world economy continues to evolve, businesses and industries must adopt new practices and processes in order to survive. Quality and cost control, work teams and participatory management, and an infusion of technology are transforming the way people work and do business. Employees are now expected to read, write, and communicate…

At the University of Massachusetts Boston, the innovative Center for Technical Education has established a successful formula for teacher training. In addition to providing a comprehensive course of study, the center also offers students a wide array of services and resources to help them earn the credentials and make the connections that will…

In Oklahoma, the state's CareerTech system is helping to provide resources and expertise to preserve the quality of life in rural communities. Just as many metropolitan areas feel the choke of urban sprawl, rural Oklahoma has, to a great extent, become the carbon copy of small towns across this country that are losing jobs, people and wealth.…

Today's hyper-connected students live in a world of instant interpersonal communications and virtually infinite access to information and educational resources. But this networked world, and the powerful learning tools it offers, has yet to penetrate the typical classroom. In many ways educational institutions are spinning their curricular wheels,…

Discusses the special considerations, objectives, and mechanisms for mentoring in engineering and other technical environments. Describes how students benefit from mentoring in an engineering curriculum and gives specific examples of student-mentoring programs. (EV)

Health technicians help form the backbone of the healthcare industry, and they need a variety of skills to help provide the best care for patients and the best assistance to doctors and physicians. Surgical technicians have to be able to carefully prepare and sterilize equipment, while having excellent teamwork skills to help operations run…

Technical education programs can be made more meaningful with a systems approach to planning, such as the method employed by a postsecondary educator in Texas. (Author/JH)

The 21st century career tech school brings together academics and career skills for a complete education. This article describes the new Romeo Engineering & Technology Center (RETC) in Romeo, Michigan. The 90,288-square-foot facility accommodates up to 720 students in grades 9-12, and sports a building design that evolved through a detailed,…