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Sputnik race for space
50th anniversaySputnikIncreased focus on science and math in schools and shift in teacher preparation. Teaching strategies evolved from memorization of terms and facts to understanding processes, applying science and math principles and development of scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and problem solving (Bybee, 1998) Bybee, R. (1998). American Physical Society. Education Forum. Retrieved from http://www.aps.org/units/fed/newsletters/apr98/sput.html -
National Defense Education Act (NDEA)
Federal funding for STEM, foreign languages, vocational and higher education increased in 1958 after Congress passed the National Defense Education Act (NDEA). Students studying these subjects received grants and loans which allowed them an unprecedented opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education. Federal Education Policy History. National Defense Education Act of 1958. Federal Education Policy History. Retrieved from http://federaleducationpolicy.wordpress.com/2011/ -
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Decline in SAT scores
1963-1980 saw steady decline in SAT scores andand growing numbers of students entering college needing remedial math. There was a growing need for skilled workers in all fields being transformed by technology (National Commission, 1983) National Commission on Excellence in Education. (1983). A nation at risk:
The imperative for educational reform. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. -
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Emerging Global Economy
Late 1960’s Global Economy began the shift to out-sourced manufacturing to countries like China with more efficient, automated processes workers will to accept lower wages, no benefits and unsafe working conditions. -
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National Science Foundation supply and demand model
NSF model of supply and demand created to predict STEM worker s shortages. The model shapes policy and educational initiatives including college programs. It measures secondary education completers from college to the workforce. Hernandez-Gantes and Fletcher (2013). -
SAT decline
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Apple IIe mass produced personal computer
Advent of mass produced personal computer with Apple IIe. Silicon valley was the hot bed of the technology boom. -
A Nation at Risk
The National Commission (1983) indicated a decline in curricular expectations of students and a shortage of math and science educators. Further, the Commission revealed fifty percent of math and science teachers were not trained in the discipline. Colleges lowered admission standards. The Commission recommended adding hours to the school day and days to the school year. Has the US made significant changes in the past 30 years? National Commission on Excellence in Education. (1983). A nation -
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Shift from Industrial Age to Information Age
Shift from Industrial Age to Information Age. 50% of economy was in the information sector (Huitt, 1998). Worldwide web free to all users. Huitt, W. (1998). The workplace and the transition to the information age: How it impacts and is impacted by women. Paper presented at the Third Annual Women's Studies Conference, Valdosta, Georgia, March 5-7 Retrieved from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/papers/wmnwork.html -
Great Recession
The Great Recession was growth in the fields of engineering (57%), biology (28%) (Jacobs, 2014). Jacobs, J.A., & Sax, L.J. (2014, April 14). Recession Spurred Enrollments in STEM Fields, Study Finds. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/study-finds-recession-spurred-stem-enrollments/75403 -
First Babyboomer reaches retirement
First wave of baby-boomers (1946) reach retirement age. Health care professions including gerontology and mortuary science industries will see an increase. Opportunities abound to develop new technologies for vision, hearing, mobility etc. Retirements will create job openings in many sectors including technology (Newport, 2014 and Schneider, 2014).
Newport, F. (2014, January 24 ). Twelve ways baby boomers will shape the nation in the coming decades. Polling Matter, Gallup. -
Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act
Senate commerce committee passes Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 (Donoghue, 2014). Manufacturing is a wealth driving sector in many areas in the United States. Donoghue, L. (2014). Senate commerce committee passes manufacturing bill. Trade Reform: News and Opinion on Trade and the Economy. Retrieved from http://www.tradereform.org/2014/05/senate-commerce-committee-passes-manufacturing-bill/
