Critical Issues in Higher Ed Remain for RT

In doing some history work, I recently ran across a paper titled "Critical Issues in Therapeutic Recreation Education: Preparing for the Twenty-First Century" that I had authored in 1997 in Expanding Horizons in Therapeutic Recreation (Vol 17, 1 - 9).

One of nine needs identified in the paper was: "The need to examine the structure and content of both graduate and undergraduate curricula, with an eye toward reform. Particular attention should be given to consensus building in regard to competencies needed for practice."

Here we are 10 years later and how much progress has been made toward meeting this need identified a decade ago? Not much, I would say.

In my 1997 paper, I cite a study by Ed Hamilton and I completed in 1992 where, using the Delphi technique, we discovered there existed a high level of agreement on what areas should receive emphasis in undergradute curricula. Yet, even with evidence of common thought on curriculum, little has been accomplished to bring about curriculum reform.

Why has there been a lack of progress in RT curriculum reform? It seems clear to me that there has been a sad lack of national leadership to bring reform about. Let's hope it will not be another 10 years before RT curriculum reform occurs.