ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education (ACVE) ARCHIVE

Tech Prep Q & A: Information for Program Development

Information Series No. 364
by Cathy A. Scruggs
Order No. IN 364, Price $8.00
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In the 1990s, the changes brought about by technology, the global economy, and demographics have necessitated the reform of educational systems. One response, given impetus by federal legislation passed in 1990, is tech prep, an articulated secondary-postsecondary program that provides technical preparation in an occupational field, integrates academic and vocational education, and leads to placement in employment. This paper poses questions and offers answers from the literature regarding tech prep as an educational reform approach. The queries address major issues concerning tech prep strategies, processes, teams, and evaluation and planning. The answers offer a practical response, example, or consideration for program development.

The introduction presents the tech prep vision and why it is needed. Next, strategies that are proving effective, their target audience, and how they should be implemented are addressed. The importance of tech prep processes, including the establishment of performance standards, professional teacher development, and collaboration with employers is discussed.

The next section highlights teamwork as an essential ingredient in tech prep success, including the involvement of all stakeholders from business, industry, labor, education, and the community in planning, curriculum development, and evaluation. The role of evaluation and planning in consortia and at the state level is described.

The last section considers the future of tech prep and why it should continue, providing a checklist of questions that can be used to assess existing programs and guide their future development.

Information on tech prep may be found in the ERIC database using the following descriptors: *Articulation (Education), *Education Work Relationship, Educational Change, Educational Cooperation, Integrated Curriculum, Postsecondary Education, Secondary Education, *Tech Prep, *Technical Education, Vocational Education. Asterisks indicate descriptors that are particularly relevant.