A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Audience Secondary students who typically do not enroll in a College Preparatory course of study and do not pursue professional careers or attend four-year universities.

Description Tech Prep was developed collaboratively by representatives of the Richmond County (North Carolina) public schools, the community college, business and industry, and implementation began in 1986. It provides a focused technical education course of study for students planning to attend a two-year community college or technical school. Coursework takes place in Grades 9-14 and emphasizes higher level mathematics, science, and communication skills. The program requires students to maintain grade level competencies throughout K-12 so that they may move into postsecondary studies without remediation. Students are provided formal career guidance activities throughout the K-12 experience to clarify and expand career possibilities. There are seven components needed for the design and implementation of Tech Prep:

(1) Leadership; (2) Staff Development/Realignment; (3) Guidance Redesign (Learner Activities/Materials); (4) Course of Study/Curriculum Development; (5) Articulation of Course Structure (K-14); (6) Evaluation; and (7) Marketing. Tech Prep addresses National Educational Goal 3.

Evidence of Effectiveness Four claims of effectiveness were evaluated. Results showed (1) significant changes in course-taking patterns between high school seniors prior to Tech Prep in 1986 and seniors enrolled in the program in 1992; (2) vocational students mastered academic subjects not previously taken as evidenced by Algebra I and II achievement tests where scores remained stable between 1986 and 1992, although the number of students who participated significantly increased; (3) there is a decrease in the drop-out rate, although the Tech Prep course of study is more rigorous than previous vocational courses of study; and (4) vocational students report attending post-secondary institutions at a higher rate than the State average, although the county is below State average on socioeconomic indicators.

Requirements Strong commitment from the school district, a postsecondary institution, and business and industry is required. Time and resources are needed for each of the Tech Prep components.

Costs Costs will vary depending on staff readiness and availability. Generally, hiring new staff is not necessary. A suggested cost in areas with one community college and one school district is $15,000 for planning activities, staff development and marketing.

Services Services include: (1) On-site visits scheduled monthly; (2) portfolios of materials upon request, and; (3) consultant technical assistance available from several staff persons.

Contact

Myrtle D. Stogner, Director, Richmond County, NC, National Tech Prep Demonstration Site Project, Richmond Community College, P.O. Box 1189, Hamlet, NC 28345. (910) 582-7187, FAX (910) 582-7005.

Developmental Funding: U.S. ED OVAE, local, state, and private sources.
PEP No. 92-10R2 (5/1/94)

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[Careerways 2000]

[Center for Educational Development (CED)/Career Guidance Project]