The Status, Role, and Needs of Engineering Technology Education in the United States

美国国家工程院对美国工程技术教育的地位、作用和需求进行了一项共识研究。这项研究的三个目标包括分析(1)工程技术人员的生产和雇用；(2)雇主对工程技术人员的看法，包括技术人员为工作场所带来的知识和技能；(3)关于课程、师资发展、与工程项目和行业的合作伙伴关系以及与K-12学校的联系等方面的工程技术教育计划的描述。在一项协商一致的研究中，研究委员会由国家工程院院长任命，以确保适当的专业知识和平衡，审查文献和现有数据库，通过调查收集一些新数据，并综合其发现。他们的报告经过了仔细的同行评审。经同行评审的最后报告在工业界和教育界的利益攸关方和决策者中广泛传播。这项研究的结果和建议提高了教育工作者、政策制定者和资助者对工程技术的认识，并促进了这些利益攸关方就更有效和更有战略地支持教育和雇用具有工程技术技能的个人所需的步骤进行富有成效的讨论和行动。

ABSTRACTThe National Academy of Engineering undertakes a consensus study of the status, role, and needs of engineering technology education in the United States. The three goals of the study include an analysis of (1) the 'production' and employment of engineering technicians; (2) employer perceptions regarding engineering technicians that includes the knowledge and skills technicians bring to the workplace; and (3) a description of engineering technology education programs with respect to curriculum, faculty development, partnerships with engineering programs and industry, and outreach to K-12 schools. In a consensus study, the study committee, appointed by the President of the National Academy of Engineering to assure appropriate expertise and balance, reviews the literature and existing databases, collects some new data via surveys, and synthesizes its findings. Their report undergoes careful peer review. The final peer reviewed report is widely disseminated among the industrial and educational stakeholders and policy makers. The findings and recommendations of the study raise awareness of engineering technology among educators, policy makers, and funders and promote productive discussion and action among those stakeholders on the steps needed to more effectively and strategically support the education and hiring of individuals with engineering technology skills.