Continuing Professional Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Continuing professional education has proven to be an acceptable control mechanism to assure professional competence. Officially recognized first under the Engineering, Science, Management War Training Act of World War II, the continuing education movement is still gaining attention in the United States with 16 professions in the 50 states requiring continuing education as proof of professional competency. At present, the question is whether continuing education of professionals should be mandatory or voluntary. The supposition that continuing professional education improves competence has led professionals, professional organizations, and governing bodies to the concept of mandatory continuing professional education (MCPE). Arguments for MCPE include the tremendous knowledge explosion, consumer demand for competency and accountability, increased number and quality of continuing education offerings, and professionals' failure to engage in continuing education. Supporters of voluntary continuing professional education have expressed seven broad concerns related to the mandatory stance that deal with participant and teacher motivation, performance and competency, program relevance, costs and resources, work and family constraints, quality of educational offerings, and program content. The prevalent philosophy of adult educators is that continuing education is a voluntary, self-directed learning experience sought for personal development and social progress. (YLB)