Economic competitiveness, rapid technology advances and changing workforce requirements call for new ATE teaching strategies, curricular reform and better teamwork among educators, business and industry and professional organizations. Urban ATE colleges face these and other challenges, serving largely economically disadvantaged and predominantly minority students many under-prepared for ATE college learning. Yet, these same urban institutions offer diversity, academic expertise and opportunities for urban businesses seeking flexible, dynamic partnerships to meet their workforce needs. New ATE curriculum development and program improvement resources and initiatives must be developed by urban ATE colleges and their partners in a more cost-effective and coordinated way. The National Urban ATE Center is directed by a consortium of City University of New York (CUNY) associate degree colleges, eventually offering services to between 25-35 of the country's largest urban ATE colleges. Services include: (1) establishment of a Resource Clearinghouse creating an Internet hub, teleconferencing and traditional research services; (2) exemplary ATE curricula dissemination in engineering technology and development of an ATE Curriculum Frameworks; (3) exemplary faculty enhancement services in the use of technology in associate degree engineering technology; and (4) student academic support services to urban ATE colleges in mathematics and communications. Ten major urban ATE colleges throughout the United States will participate in the first year, along with national professional organizations and businesses, including CORD, American Chemical Society, Urban League, NYNEX, Hughes Corporation and others. CUNY expects substantial resource gains among participating colleges and development of effective strategies to improve student achievement and to meet the workforce needs of business and industry.
