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Pages 37-67

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From page 37...
... 37 This synthesis gathered data from two main groups: high schools and community colleges. As discussed in Chapter 2, two survey instruments were developed -- one for high schools and one for colleges.
From page 38...
... 38 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Figure 3. Which of the following aviation courses/programs/pathways does your high school currently provide?
From page 39...
... Survey Results 39 High Schools Among participating high schools, UAS is the most popular program being considered for future classes, with 8 (32%) high schools considering it.
From page 40...
... 40 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Figure 6. Which NEW aviation courses/programs/degrees is your community college considering possibly offering in the future?
From page 41...
... Survey Results 41 Community Colleges Because of the anticipated wide variation among community college aviation programs, the survey asked participants to answer in an open-item manner the number of aviation units they offered. Of the 41 colleges answering this question, the average number of aviation units offered equaled 81.
From page 42...
... 42 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges among freshmen, with 20% enrolled. Among sophomores, aircraft maintenance is most popular, with 23% enrolled.
From page 43...
... Survey Results 43 Figure 10. Did you develop your curriculum in-house or acquire off-the-shelf curriculum?
From page 44...
... 44 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Off-the-Shelf Curriculum In an effort to better understand which specific sources of off-the-shelf curriculum are being adopted by schools and colleges, the survey queried participants on this topic. High Schools The majority of participating high schools (12; 63%)
From page 45...
... Survey Results 45 Community Colleges Somewhat less than high schools, 54% of community colleges report having at least one airport partnership in place. While these partnerships were also of varying degree, it is insightful to understand that most community college aviation programs are in some form of active partnership with an airport in the local community.
From page 46...
... 46 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges program and students, the participants gave varied responses, including some themes such as the following: • Discounted and convenient access to flight training • Access to office and hangar space at discounted rates • Access to mentorship for students See Appendix A for actual survey respondent comments. Non-airport Partnerships In addition to airport partnerships, the survey queried participating high schools and community colleges about any non-airport partnerships, such as aircraft manufacturers, air traffic control facilities, or national organizations.
From page 47...
... Survey Results 47 High Schools Although the majority of participating high schools report no relationship between aviation programs and the CAP, a minority (25%) of participating high schools do report a relationship.
From page 48...
... 48 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Future Facilities To gauge the degree of projected growth and future support by school and college leadership, the survey asked participants about any future facilities being planned. High Schools Although 13 (54%)
From page 49...
... Survey Results 49 Figure 16. What type of facilities, if any, does your high school or district have planned for the future to support your aviation program?
From page 50...
... 50 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Funding The survey also aimed to gauge support for aviation programs at the high school and community college levels, as well as the sources of funding for aviation programs. High Schools One-third (8)
From page 51...
... Survey Results 51 Community Colleges Most participating community college programs have no outside influences. Of those that do experience the effect of outside influences, common influences include enrollment, the weather, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
From page 52...
... 52 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges High Schools Among participating high schools, funding generally comes from the school district. Political support comes from parents and the community, including industry partners.
From page 53...
... Survey Results 53 Community Colleges At participating community colleges, aviation students are also enriched in a number of ways outside the curriculum. Guest speakers are the most popular offering, reported by 43 (83%)
From page 54...
... 54 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Figure 22. To what extent does your aviation program require some form of work-based learning for students?
From page 55...
... Survey Results 55 Manned Flight Training The survey also endeavored to determine the extent of manned flight training being performed in high school and community college aviation programs. High Schools Among participating high schools, exactly half report that no manned flight training is being conducted for students.
From page 56...
... 56 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Figure 25. To what extent do your aviation students receive manned flight training?
From page 57...
... Survey Results 57 Community Colleges Among participating community colleges, 38 (71%) do not provide unmanned flight training.
From page 58...
... 58 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Figure 28. How aware are your students of the numerous career paths and opportunities in the aviation industry?
From page 59...
... Survey Results 59 High Schools The most common credits/certifications provided to high school students are college credit and the FAA remote pilot certificate, reported by 10 (42%)
From page 60...
... 60 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Figure 31. What credentials/professional certifications/credit do aviation students receive upon (or prior to)
From page 61...
... Survey Results 61 Postgraduate Tracking To better determine the degree to which high schools and community colleges track their graduates, and thus know the success of their programs, the survey queried participants on this topic. High Schools Among most participating high schools, little postgraduate tracking occurs.
From page 62...
... 62 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Figure 33. Generally, what percentage of your graduates obtain either a job in aviation after graduation or continue to a community college or four-year college/university to major in aviation?
From page 63...
... Survey Results 63 Common themes identified in the open-ended responses to this question include the following: • Directly reaching out to middle schools, promoting to middle school parents • Hosting open houses for prospective students • Promotion on social media (Facebook, Instagram) Actual open-ended responses to this question appear in Appendix A
From page 64...
... 64 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges High Schools As presented in the word cloud in Figure 37, many high schools do not promote their programs to industry. Of those that do, aviation meetings, local contacts, and broader industry contacts are the ways in which this promotion occurs.
From page 65...
... Survey Results 65 High Schools As presented in the word cloud in Figure 39, among participating high schools, challenges in developing and/or maintaining their aviation program include lack of financial resources, finding qualified teachers, and keeping students motivated. Common themes identified in the open-ended responses to this question include the following: • Funding for equipment • Generating student interest in the program • Scheduling courses as part of the master schedule of the school • Parents and administrators understanding purpose and function of program Actual open-ended responses to this question appear in Appendix A
From page 66...
... 66 Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges Advice to Other Programs To aid those high schools and community colleges interested in establishing an aviation pathway or program, the survey asked participants for their advice. High Schools As presented in the word cloud in Figure 41, the advice shared by high schools includes implementing the curriculum provided by AOPA; connecting with the local aviation community, such as the local EAA chapter; hiring the right director/champion; and considering student needs.
From page 67...
... Survey Results 67 • Hire the right person to lead the program; the person should be well versed in aviation and able to communicate effectively. Actual open-ended responses to this question appear in Appendix A

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