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01.10

IEEE-USA Acts to Reform K-12 Education
By Russell Harrison

Since at least the early 1980s, America has recognized that our public education system is, to put it gently, imperfect. In the seminal report, A Nation at Risk, researcher Paul Hurd concluded that, “We are raising a new generation of Americans that is scientifically and technologically illiterate.” While progress has been made, even after twenty-seven years, the problem persists.

One of the key motivations behind the Nation at Risk report was the spread of technology. The early 1980s saw computers appear on more and more desks, factories and homes while other technological innovations became increasingly ubiquitous. Even then it was clear that a basic understanding of technology and engineering concepts would be ever more important to American students.

And yet we still don’t teach these subjects in school. Very few public elementary, middle or high schools include engineering or technology in their standard science curriculums. Students may be taught how to use a computer, but the technology inside remains a mystery to all but a lucky few.

IEEE-USA and a coalition of engineering groups would like to change that. The group has drafted legislation that will be introduced into Congress soon. The bill, “Engineering Education for an Innovation Economy” or the “E2 Bill,” will help states make engineering and technology a formal part of their standard science curriculums. (Full text here: www.sconyc-ny.org/WebPages/Fulle2.html)

To kick off this effort, IEEE-USA will be hosting a Washington Fly-In on 8-9 February. All IEEE members who are interested in this issue are encouraged to join their colleagues in Washington, D.C., for this event. Participants will receive a comprehensive briefing on education policy and communicating with politicians. They will then spend a day on Capitol Hill holding private meetings with their elected members of Congress. At these meetings, participants will be able to explain the importance of improving science education to your legislators and describe how adding engineering to your local schools’ standard curriculums can help.

All IEEE members in the United States are welcome and encouraged to join us on 8-9 February. IEEE-USA will arrange your appointments and the briefing. All you need to provide is enthusiasm and a desire to help improve the way Americans learn about engineering and technology.

Full details on the Fly-In can be found here: www.ieeeusa.org/policy/careerflyin.

Contact IEEE-USA staffer Russ Harrison at r.t.harrison@ieee.org  with questions about this event.

Reference

“A Nation at Risk. An Imperative for Educational Reform,” National Commission on Excellence in Education, April, 1983, www.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk

Russell T. Harrison is IEEE-USA's legislative representative for grassroots activities.

Comments may be submitted to todaysengineer@ieee.org.