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1. What is Tech Prep?
Tech Prep is a national educational approach administered through
the states which encourages schools and colleges to jointly develop
applied curricula for the 9th -12th grades through an Associate
Degree in career fields.
Tech Prep is at a minimum a 2+2 program of study where at least two years of high school are linked with two years of post-secondary education that leads to a post-secondary certificate, apprenticeship, and/or Associate Degree. The Tech Prep Program enables students to identify and participate in a sequence of courses in a Career Cluster. Tech Prep prepares students with the technical skills for the "technology age" in which they live and will work.
2. Why do we need Tech Prep?
Today's competitive, technology-based workplace is vastly different
from the assembly-line workplace of yesteryear. We are now in
the Technology Age, in which our workforce must have the technical
skills to work, play, and compete in the global economy.
- Over 70% of new jobs require some technical training and more than a high school diploma.
- To prepare students for higher-level thinking skills and
educational challenges.
American employers want workers with advanced technical skills who have mastered the basic academic skills and know how to apply them to solve basic problems. - Students often see little or no relationship between how well they do in school and what kind of job they can get after school.
- Many future jobs have not been invented yet. Students need a broad foundation of coursework that can be applied to a wide variety of occupations.
3. Who is the Tech Prep student?
- Students who are interested in employment in career fields that require post-secondary education.
- Students who wish to pursue a two-year vocational certificate, Associate of Science degree, or apprenticeship program designed to provide immediate employment skills upon graduation.
- Students who wish to prepare for college courses and/or to
gain college credit
while still in high school, which can also lead to a two-year or four-year college degree.
4. When did Tech Prep begin?
The U.S. Congress authorized funding of Tech Prep Education Programs
under the Reauthorization of the Carl Perkins Vocational and
Applied Technology Act of 1990. However, the concept of Tech
Prep education began as early as the mid 1980s.
On October 8, 1998, legislation was passed by the House and Senate, which authorizes the continuation of Tech Prep as a separately funded federal program until 2003. Tech Prep will receive a 3% increase for 1999 to $106 million, up from the previous year of $103 million.
5. Does Tech Prep lock a student
into a particular curriculum pathway?
Tech Prep was developed in order to provide all students more
opportunities for curriculum and future career choices. The strong
foundation of math, science, technology and communication enables
students to pursue career avenues and prepare for changes in
their future working years.
6. What if a student does not plan
to attend postsecondary education after he/she graduates from
high school?
Tech Prep will be an excellent choice for such a student. It
will provide him/her with the academic and technical background
to enter a career field after high school graduation, as well
as the opportunity to continue working while training for additional
career skills and advancement.
7. Are Tech Prep classes for below
average students?
No. Tech Prep classes actually target high average/average students.
Applied academic courses cover the same outcomes as existing
courses. Only the method of curriculum delivery is different.
Students learn abstract concepts by doing activities that pertain
to the working world.
8. Are Tech Prep classes for special
needs students?
Classes are for any student capable of successfully completing
the applied curriculum. The applied academic course format requires
the ability to read and comprehend program-related technical
materials and to participate in laboratory-type activities done
in small groups to reinforce learning.
9. Will Tech Prep programs help the
"at-risk" students stay in school?
The goal of Tech Prep is to make science, math and communications
more relevant to the student. Because of the way the curriculum
is taught, "at-risk" students may be motivated by the
relevancy of the topics and, therefore, positive results for
some "at- risk" students may be achieved.
10. Does Tech Prep meet the needs
of gifted students?
If the students career interests and goals fall in an area of
career and technical preparation provided through an available
Tech Prep Program, then the Tech Prep curriculum should be offered
as a viable option.
11. Are Tech Prep programs the same
everywhere?
No. Tech Prep Programs are developed by local consortia, in accordance
with the general Tech Prep concept and objectives, to best fit
the unique needs, issues and regional employment outlook.
12. What will Tech Prep provide for students?
- An opportunity for success in school, more satisfying high school experience, and a career focus.
- A positive self-image and improved self-esteem.
- Increased future earning power.
- A chance to "learn by doing" in academic and technology areas.
- Improved written, verbal, and computer application communication skills.
- Higher order thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Marketable academic and technology-oriented skills that last a lifetime.
- An opportunity to earn two-year college credits through formal articulation agreements.
- A head start on the job market and/or way to pay for college.
- A vision of the future and obtainable goals to make your dreams come true.
