Tech Prep Programs:*
Key Program Components
The following are the key program components that are essential for each Tech Prep program developed and supported under these guidelines. The description provides specific information and requirements that must be addressed for each Key Program Component. It is necessary to address all seven Key Program Components when describing activities within the e-grant application under the Objectives and Action Plan sections.
- Articulation Agreement and Appropriate Curriculum Design
- Designed to provide students with a nonduplicative sequence of courses consisting of at least two years of secondary education and two years of postsecondary education (could be less if time shortened program) and leading to the completion of a Tech Prep program.
- Includes a scope and sequence that identifies the nonduplicative sequence of courses at both the secondary and postsecondary levels.
- Developed between participants in the consortium and includessignatures of all partners delivering education within the related scope and sequence of courses. Changes to the scope and sequence must be approved by all signatories of the articulation agreement.
- Includes a common core of required and rigorous proficiency in mathematics, science, reading, writing, communications and technical studies.
- Leads to a two year (could be less if time shortened program) postsecondary certificate, associate degree or registered apprenticeship and may articulate into a baccalaureate degree program.
NOTE: A signed articulation agreement must be submitted to the Bureau of Career and Technical Education (BCTE) during the program approval process.
- Curriculum Development
- Meets or exceeds Pennsylvania's State Standards.
- Links secondary schools and postsecondary institutions through nonduplicative sequences of courses, and if possible and practical, provides for transition to a baccalaureate degree program after completion of the appropriate two year postsecondary program.
- Developed in consultation with business, industry, higher education institutions and labor organizations.
- Incorporates contextual learning through the integration of academic and career and technical education.
- Provides education and training in careers in which there are significant shortages of technical workers.
- Includes opportunities for Tech Prep students to enroll concurrently in secondary and postsecondary courses.
- Uses, if appropriate and available, work-based or worksite learning in conjunction with business and all aspects of an industry.
- Uses educational technology and distance learning, as appropriate, to involve all the consortium partners more fully in the development and operation of programs.
- In Service Training for Teachers/Faculty
- Provides training to career and technical education and academic teachers and postsecondary faculty to effectively implement Tech Prep Progams.
- Provides inservicing for teachers/faculty in the consortium, both at the secondary and postsecondary levels; inservicing activities may include, but are not limited to: technical updating, contextual learning and curriculum integration.
- Provides inservice training related to Tech Prep for middle school teachers.
- Ensures that teachers and administrators stay current with the needs, expectations, and methods of business and all aspects of an industry.
- Provides training to postsecondary education faculty in the use of contextual and applied curricula and instruction.
- Provides training in the use and application of technology.
- Includes a process to evaluate the effectiveness of the inservice training provided.
- Inservice Training for Counselors
- Provides training to counselors to enable them to more effectively provide information to the students regarding Tech Prep programs; support student progress in completing Tech Prep programs; provide information on related employment opportunities; ensure that students are placed in appropriate employment; and stay current with the needs, expectations and methods of business and all aspects of an industry.
- Provides training in transition services to postsecondary Tech Prep completers interested in pursuing baccalaureate degrees.
- Includes a process to evaluate the effectiveness of the inservice training provided.
- Equal Access for Special Populations
- Provides equal access to the full range of Tech Prep programs to individuals who are members of special populations, including the development of Tech Prep program services appropriate to the needs of special populations.
- Effectively addresses the issues of dropout prevention and re-entry.
- Preparatory Services
- Provides for preparatory services that assist students in Tech Prep programs and may include outreach to potential Tech Prep students, career and personal counseling and vocational assessment and testing.
- Includes services provided to students not yet enrolled in a Tech Prep program and/or services delivered before the eleventh grade.
- Transition Services
- Provides services to Tech Prep students during the transition phase between secondary and postsecondary education.
- May provide services to Tech Prep students from the two year postsecondary program to a baccalaureate program, if within the allowable six-year timeframe.
- May provide services to Tech Prep students during the transition from postsecondary education to the workplace.
- Provides a mechanism to share data information with receiving postsecondary institutions.
* As defined in the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 and Pennsylvania Bureau of Career and Technical Education.
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