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Tech Prep Legislation

Tech Prep is a federal education initiative described and funded by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act. Initially authorized in 1990, the Tech Prep Education Act was reauthorized in 1998, and in the following year the Texas state legislature passed HB 2401, which describes Tech Prep in Texas.

Tech Prep legislation calls for the development of secondary and postsecondary programs of study that are linked and that provide opportunities to prepare for employment in jobs that require highly skilled two-year college graduates. The legislation is in response to advances in technology that have changed the workplace in a dramatic way. Students graduating from high school need highly technical skills to be competitive in the job market – and up to 85% of all jobs will require at least two years of education beyond high school.

Federal legislation (reference Public Law 105-332):

 http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTE/legis.html

State legislation (reference HB 2401, 76th Regular Session, 1999):

 www.capitol.state.tx.us

Texas has 26 regional consortia that provide information to students, and coordinate Tech Prep program development and related services among school districts and two-year colleges. Federal funds flow to consortia of schools and colleges from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in partnership with the Texas Education Agency. Tech Prep includes the following key components:

• 6-year educational plans composed of secondary programs of study articulated with technical programs at two-year colleges;
• Academic and technical concepts taught in context;
• Career guidance and counseling;
• Joint staff development activities for secondary and postsecondary teachers, counselors and administrators;
• Joint state agency approval process for Tech Prep programs (6-year plans); and
• A high school transcript code for articulated courses (letter "A") and a PEIMS code to identify secondary students electing to participate in Tech Prep programs.

Consortium Steering Committee