An evaluation of the undergraduate industrial arts teacher education program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, by its graduates

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of the 1971-1980 graduates who had majored in Industrial Education with the Industrial Arts Teacher Education option at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, concerning the effectiveness of the program in meeting their needs after having become employed.

Data for the study were obtained from completed questionnaires received from 61 of the 86 graduates who had majored in the Industrial Arts Teacher Education program. The responses were coded and computed to include frequencies, percentages, measures of central tendency, cross tabulations, and comparisons between groups.

The following findings were based on the analysis and interpretation of the data. (1) The vast majority (91.4 percent) of the respondents were residing in the southeastern United States with 81.0 percent living in Tennessee. (2) Of the study population, 62.1 percent were employed in areas outside of education. (3) The majority (53.4 percent) of the respondents had changed occupations at least once since receiving their baccalaureate degree. (4) Of the respondents, 34.5 percent had received one or more advanced degrees and 27.6 percent were working toward an advanced degree. (5) The majority of the respondents indicated that, overall, the courses offered in Industrial Arts Teacher Education were of "reasonable" or "maximum" value. (6) The perceived overriding advantage of a career in industrial arts was that it provides versatile experiences which enable individuals to pursue work not only in education but also in industry.

Four major conclusions were derived from the study. (1) The Industrial Arts program at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is sensitive to area needs and tends to prepare graduates for regional employment, both within and outside of education, (2) Once a graduate leaves teaching to seek employment in another field, he/she will not likely return to the teaching profession. (3) The Industrial Arts graduates, in general, are motivated to maintain and enhance their competencies in education through advanced degrees. (4) The program is providing the necessary skills basic both to education and to other related occupations.