Report of the Governor's Task Force on Aerospace-Aviation Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The purpose of the Aerospace-Aviation Education Task Force was to study the problems and present recommendations for space and aviation education in California. Educational trends and the increasing rate of dropout occurrence reveal a need to introduce changes in the education and training of students. Many career opportunities exist in the field of aerospace and aviation. Committees were formed to concentrate on the various existing educational levels. The following levels were studied and several aspects of their programs are discussed with recommendations for their development: (1) elementary and junior high schools (description of exemplary programs); (2) high schools and community colleges (requirements for a standard designated subjects teaching credential in aviation flight instruction and/or aviation ground instruction, courses in aviation education, and commentary on the education code); (3) colleges, universities, and private schools (description of aerospace or aeronautical programs in various institutions); and (4) industry and the professions (findings from a survey of aerospace industry employers on their opinions regarding the needs of aerospace education, a discussion on recent technological developments, and an overview of aviation education in the Soviet Union). Materials related to the activities conducted by the task force are appended. (EC)