1. Technology Education Neshaminy School District at

2. A Brief Overview of Technology Education Technology Education (TE or Tech Ed) has evolved from Industrial Arts (Shop). The change in name and philosophy occurred in the 1980's. ever Neither TE or Industrial Arts has ever been Vocational Training (Tech School).

3. Some Short Descriptions: Industrial Arts - Evolved from Manual Training, IA concentrated on tools/ machines and their use. Vocational Education (Tech school) - An educational program that trains students for a specific trade or career. Technological Literacy Technology Education - Evolved from IA as the need for Technological Literacy became apparent in the 1970's.

4. Technological Literacy A technologically literate person understands - with increasing sophistication - what technology is, how it is created and its positive/negative effects on society and the environment. A technologically literate person can hear a story involving technology on television, read about it on the web or study a product manual - then evaluate the information intelligently, put it into context, and form an opinion or plan based on it. A technologically literate person is comfortable with, and objective toward, the use of technology.

5. Technological Literacy Technological Literacy benefits students who plan to pursue technological careers: engineers, architects, technicians, etc. Students form an opinion on many career paths by taking exploratory TE courses. Technological Literacy also benefits everyone: corporate executives, teachers, farmers homemakers and small business owners are all able to perform their jobs better if they are technologically literate.

6. A Few Definitions: Technology design and Technology - The use of resources to meet people’s needs and solve problems. TE differs from the old Industrial Arts by stressing design and problem solving with less emphasis on the details of tool use. Science Science - The study of nature and natural phenomena. ScienceTechnology Science and Technology work hand in hand. What scientists discover, technologists put to use.

7. Technology Education at Neshaminy Neshaminy provides TE instruction to all students (both boys and girls) in grades 6- 8 and is an elective for all students in grades 9-12. At the high school alone, there are 29 sections of TE. These classes help students attain the required number of elective credits.

8. Technology Education at Neshaminy (continued) The areas of TE taught at Neshaminy are: Graphic Communication Computer Aided Drafting/ Design (CAD) Power Technology Video Communication Electronics Manufacturing/ Construction

9. Technology Education at Neshaminy Technology Education at Neshaminy (continued) All of the areas of TE taught at Neshaminy fall under the PA organizers of Informational Systems and Physical Systems. The pending PA Chapter 4 requirements state that TE be taught in the middle grades and must be offered at the high school level.

10. Technology Education and PSSA Technology Education plays an important part in Neshaminy’s PSSA testing (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment). The newest PSSA test assesses Science & Technology and was first given in the 06/07 school year. TE addresses not only PA Standards and Anchors for Science & Technology, and Anchors for Science & Technology, but also others for Literacy, Math, etc. but also others for Literacy, Math, etc.

11. Summary Technology Education and Vocational Education (as is taught at the Tech School) are two separate programs with completely different philosophies, curriculums and goals. TE standards are addressed in PA’s Science and Technology Standards. TE at Neshaminy addresses about 65% of the State’s Science Anchors as well as anchors in Math and Reading. Technology Education Technology Education is part of general education and contributes to Neshaminy students’ comprehensive education and PSSA performance.