New Technology Education Courses that Meet Maryland’s Graduation Requirement

Beginning with the Class of 2012, a revised Code of Maryland Administrative Regulations (COMAR) 13A.04.01.01 will be in effect for the technology education graduation requirement.  Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is complying with the revised regulation by providing locally and nationally-developed courses that meet Maryland’s requirements.  Two of the four technology education graduation requirement courses will be phased in during the 2008–2009 school year and the remaining two courses will be phased in during the 2009–2010 school year. 
                                                                                       
All MCPS students who have completed their technology education graduation requirement prior to the beginning of the 2008–2009 school year, or who are scheduled to graduate in 2009, 2010, or 2011, are not affected by the COMAR change.  Students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 may complete their technology education graduation requirement under the 1992 regulation, choosing courses currently satisfying the requirement and designated with a TE in the 2008-2009 MCPS High School Course Bulletin.  The technology education graduation requirement courses for the class of 2012 and beyond have a T2 designation.

The Maryland State Department of Education has identified three courses that fulfill the basic technology education high school graduation requirement for the class of 2012 and beyond.  For the 2008-2009 school year, the following two courses are being phased in:

  • Foundations of Technology (FOT) A/B—5161/5162

This is an existing course but the content has changed to reflect the new Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC) for Technology Education.  Please see the Web site for more information about the VSC at http://www.mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/index.html

Students in the FOT course investigate the Core Technologies (Optical, Thermal, Electrical, Chemical, Electronic, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Mechanical, and Structural) and the dynamic nature of technology.  They use design skills in a variety of fields including manufacturing, biotechnology, and engineering.  Inquiry-based and hands-on instruction are emphasized in this lab-based course as students research, problem solve, prototype, test, work in collaborative teams, and develop technical presentations.  An online version of the FOT course was piloted in Summer School during 2007 and is being offered in Summer School during 2008.

  • Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) A/B—5152/5153

This course is the first course in the Advanced Engineering—Project Lead the Way (PLTW) national program.  Students can earn three college credits if they receive a grade of “B” or better in the course and on the final examinations.  Please see the PLTW Web site for more information at http://www.pltw.org.

Students in the IED course develop problem-solving skills with an emphasis on visualization and communication skills, using a computer and 3-D solid modeling software. 
In a computer lab, students use manipulatives and a computer-enhanced methodology to produce, analyze, and evaluate engineering models and design solutions to technological problems. 

Additional information will be provided about the two remaining courses planned for the 2009–2010 school year, Principles of Engineering (POE) and a computer science/technology education hybrid.  POE is the second course offered in the Advanced Engineering—PLTW program and receives advanced level high school credit.  The PLTW program is a five-credit sequence of courses designed to address the shortage of engineers as well as increase the representation of women and other underrepresented groups.  College credit may be earned for each course. 

Plans are being made to provide interested students with the opportunity to complete the rigorous five-credit sequence of courses required for the PLTW program at the Thomas Edison High School of Technology, the school system’s center for advanced career technical education.  For additional information, please contact Mr. W. Ed Ball, coordinator, Division of Career and Technology Education, at 240-632-6900.

Updated May 14, 2008 | Maintained by Steve Mikulski