The Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center (MATEC) Planning Project is planning for a Center to be operated by the Maricopa County Community College District, Phoenix, Arizona, in collaboration with other educational and business/industry partners. The planning process involves representatives from three educational levels-high school, community college, and university-and industry partners who are stake holders in implementing new educational approaches which prepare students for the high performance workplace. Planning assumptions, based on an environmental scan, provide the framework for a collaborative Steering Committee to develop the vision/mission and strategies for MATEC. Faculty teams, with members from the various educational levels and support from business/industry representatives, are developing the Operational Plan. Emphasis is on approaches which integrate the teaching/learning of academic concepts in science, mathematics, and technology with the development of workplace competencies, including the skills/abilities necessary for continuous learning/adaptation after entry into the workplace. The overall goal is to implement MATEC which will serve as a national model and clearinghouse for secondary/postsecondary advanced technology education.
