How to Influence Policy for Maximum Departmental Growth.

Overview & Synopsis

A continuing and increasing demand for collegiate business education programs seems to be indicated by employment needs of the business sector. During a time of obvious increased need, enrollments in teacher education are suffering one of their sharpest declines in history. A National Association for Business Teacher Education (NABTE) survey on the "Image/Status of Business Education" reveals that 52.9 percent of the responding institutions are experiencing declining enrollments in business teacher education programs. Over 54 percent of respondents indicate their administrative office management programs do not appear to have had an adverse effect on teacher education enrollments. In fact, business teacher education programs located in the same cities as technical/community colleges have maintained better enrollments. Business education, however, does not appear to be experiencing inequitable staff reductions. NABTE respondents feel that the ingredients necessary for quality business education programs include funding, a competent staff, administrative support, an up-to-date curriculum, a strong recruitment program, improved teaching conditions, and innovative programs. Suggestions to encourage maximum departmental growth are recruitment, improved funding, a curriculum changed to meet needs of a changing society, and improved teaching conditions. (YLB)