OVERVIEW OF CPE IN THE USA Speech at ‘Continuing Professional Development: Towards Effective Practice’ UPM Sept Purpose: To describe system of CPE in the USA CPE is a component of adult education Professions account for about 29 mill which is 27% of workforce

Each professions organizes its own system of CPE – little attention to what other professions are doing No systems are fully matured – in rapidly progressing developmental stage With rapid technological innovations the need for CPE is universally accepted

PURPOSE OF CPE Scientific knowledge has grown so much CPE keep pace with new knowledge Up-to-date Help professionals recognize the ethical choices Help professionals recognize and be able to collaborate Help professionals learn new roles within the profession

METHODS OF DELIVERING CPE Didactic Useful for the purpose of keeping professionals up-to-date Delivered through technology Trend changing to self directed learning Study shows 53% informal learning

PROVIDERS OF CPE Institutionally-basedPluralisticUniversitiesWorkplaces Professional association

ORGANIZATION OF PROVIDERS Little cooperation among providers Cooperation in resources Collaboration between industry and universities - council

WHAT ARE RELATIONSHIP OF CPE TO PRESERVICE EDUCATION Discontinuity between the systems Some professions have coordinated system Corporation between university and industry to offer degree in management, accounting, engineering

General Motors Institute – degree- granting institution (Michigan) National Technological University – association for media based CPE for engineers

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Characteristics: 1.Devoted to updating about newest developments 2.Transmitted in a didactic faction 3.By a pluralistic group of providers 4.Do not work according to some overall plan 5.Almost entirely unconnected to the previous levels of professional education

Changes taking place in all 5 dimensions The system of CPE still in infancy Expect tremendous growth and development