A gulp-worthy 60% of freshmen engineering students eventually drop out or change majors.
Over 40% don’t even make it through year one.
- Andrew Belasco, CollegeTransitions.com
Since the mid-1980s, the number of college graduates in the United States in engineering and related math and science fields has been flat or declining. During the same time period, the number of graduates in these fields has been steadily increasing in other parts of the world. Reversing the trend in the U.S. will require the focused efforts of those in the engineering supply chain - the K-12 education system, the Schools and Colleges of Engineering, and Industry.
The Engineering Academy at Spain Park High School was conceived in the spring of 2007, due to the success of The Engineering Academy at Hoover High School, a Hoover City School as well. The academy was introduced as a means to begin addressing the declining pool of engineers, beginning at the high school level. The four-year curriculum includes specified math, science, and engineering coursework at each grade level. It seems logical that early exposure and strong preparation should ultimately increase the number of students who pursue careers in engineering. The inaugural entering class, consisting of a group of freshmen and sophomores, began their course work in the fall of 2007. The first group of three-year graduates finished in 2010, and the first four-year graduates were the Class of 2011.
Over 40% don’t even make it through year one.
- Andrew Belasco, CollegeTransitions.com
Since the mid-1980s, the number of college graduates in the United States in engineering and related math and science fields has been flat or declining. During the same time period, the number of graduates in these fields has been steadily increasing in other parts of the world. Reversing the trend in the U.S. will require the focused efforts of those in the engineering supply chain - the K-12 education system, the Schools and Colleges of Engineering, and Industry.
The Engineering Academy at Spain Park High School was conceived in the spring of 2007, due to the success of The Engineering Academy at Hoover High School, a Hoover City School as well. The academy was introduced as a means to begin addressing the declining pool of engineers, beginning at the high school level. The four-year curriculum includes specified math, science, and engineering coursework at each grade level. It seems logical that early exposure and strong preparation should ultimately increase the number of students who pursue careers in engineering. The inaugural entering class, consisting of a group of freshmen and sophomores, began their course work in the fall of 2007. The first group of three-year graduates finished in 2010, and the first four-year graduates were the Class of 2011.