Tech Prep, which began in the early 1980s as a small, locally driven high school improvement strategy, has grown into a major national strategy for improving students’ academic knowledge and technical skills. Tech Prep is a sequenced course of study that combines at least two years of secondary, beginning as early as ninth grade, and two years of postsecondary education. It is designed to help students gain academic knowledge and technical skills, and often earn college credit for their secondary coursework. Minimally, programs are intended to lead to an associate’s degree, certificate or credential in a specific career field and, ultimately, to a high-wage, high-skill, high-demand employment or advanced postsecondary training.

Eight Essential Elements of a Tech Prep Program:

• Tech Prep programs that minimally lead to an associate’s degree, national certification, credential or apprenticeship;
• Articulation between secondary and postsecondary institutions;
• Curriculum development supporting integrated/applied academics;
• Tech Prep professional development supporting the eight essential elements;
• Professional development for counselors
• Equal access for special populations;
• Preparatory services including career guidance;
• Coordination with the Title I, Perkins IV Basic Grant.

Roughly 47% of the nation’s high schools offer one or more Tech Prep programs. The U.S. Department of Education provides funding under the Perkins Act to help states and local educational agencies implement effective Tech Prep programs. These programs support students’ transition to postsecondary education through dual enrollment, access to advanced facilities and labs, experiential learning opportunities, and exposure to college life. Approximately 20,000 secondary students throughout the State are enrolled in Tech Prep educational programs.

Indiana Career and Technical Education RFPs

2009/2010 Tech Prep

• 2009/10 Tech Prep Planning RFP | Appendix
• 2009/10 Tech Prep-Year 1 PLTW RFP | Appendix
• 2009/10 Tech Prep (Non-PLTW) Continuation RFP |
• 2009/10 Tech Prep-PLTW Continuation RFP | Appendix
  
  
• Forms
  • Area Directors by District

2008/2009 Tech Prep

• 2008/2009 Planning RFP | Appendix 
• 2008/2009 Implementation RFP | Appendix 
• 2008/2009 Project Lead the Way RFP | Appendix
  
  
• Forms
  • 2008/2009 “PLTW” Accrued Expenditure Report Form
  • 2008/2009 “Tech Prep” Accrued Expenditure Report Form
  • 2008/2009 “PLTW” Budget Modification Request Form
  • 2008/2009 “Tech Prep” Budget Modification Request Form

2007/2008 Career Majors

• Career Majors Planning Grant RFP
• Career Majors Implementation RFP
• Career Majors Model/Mentor RFP

2007/2008 Project Lead the Way

• Project Lead the Way RFA
• Project Lead the Way Dual Credit

2006/2007 Career Majors

• Pathways to Postsecondary

Additional Resources

• Indiana Academic Standards
• Indiana Career Pathways
• Indiana Gold Star Counseling
• Secondary/Postsecondary Transition Plan
• Scholarships at IUPUI

Career Majors Archive

• 2005/2006