Pinal County Tech Prep Consortium

TECH PREP in ARIZONA

General Information
Tech Prep is an educational initiative that prepares students for employment in high-skilled technical occupations which will dominate tomorrow's workplace.

What are Characteristics of Tech Prep?
Tech Prep utilizes a coordinated sequence of instructions, jointly designed by secondary and postsecondary instructors to link high school and postsecondary education Articulation is a planned process that enables students to acquire higher levels of skill training and link educational systems so that students can make a smooth transition from one level to another without delay, duplication of courses or loss of credit.
Tech Prep emphasizes integration of broad occupational and solid academic skills in order to compete successfully in a competitive workforce. New and Creative Partnerships are designed and maintained between education and business; secondary and postsecondary institutions and academic and technical faculty.
A postsecondary Tech Prep Student = a concentrator/completer form the secondary level of an approved Tech Prep program Integration provides sound academic competencies, which emphasizes science, math and communication, while obtaining a quality technical education.
A postsecondary completer = a concentrator/completer who has earned a two-year postsecondary certificate and/or degree. Guidance Counselors play a vital role in the success of Tech Prep because they educate students about career options that meet their interest and needs
The term "tech prep program" means a program of study that combines at least two-years of secondary education (as determined under State Law) and two-years of postsecondary education in a non-duplicative sequential course of study. (p. 91 - The Official Guide of the Perkins Act of 1998) Increased Attainment of Technical Skill Proficiencies, with Accountability, is expected.  Because more high school students have reason to complete a rigorous and relevant education, sophisticated higher-level competencies can be provided at the postsecondary level, with curriculum modifications at BOTH levels.
Existing services provided by Tech Prep:
  • Recruitment
  • Articulation
  • Communication
  • Professional Development
  • Business partnerships
 Learning Styles provide opportunities that take the student from
  1. Concrete to abstract
  2. General to specific
  3. Practice to theory
  4. Familiar to unfamiliar.

A careful balance of head and hand skills incorporates all of these concepts and makes learning understandable and achievable.
Potential services provided by Tech Prep:
  • Retention assistance
  • Financial aid advice
  • Mentoring and tutoring assistance
  • Job shadowing, career opportunities and placement
  • Scholarship opportunities
 Work Based Learning includes experiences such as shadowing, mentoring, cooperative learning, internships, summer programs and apprenticeships as an integral part of Tech Prep through partnerships with business and industry.

In Arizona, the Tech Prep effort is in its FOURTEENTH SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

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