Tech-Prep Instructor: Ms. B. Wu

What is Tech Prep?

    Tech Prep is a curricular and instructional strategy for all students which begins in high school and continues through at least two years of postsecondary education.  Incorporating both school-based and work-based instruction in a comprehensive and non-repetitive curriculum, Tech Prep offers students rigorous coursework within an applied framework which enhances their ability to constructively relate school activities to future college and workforce requirements.

    The Tech Prep curriculum includes core courses in mathematics, science, communications, and technologies, along with structured work experience.  Tech Prep's seamless curriculum helps students make smooth transitions from one educational system to another without experiencing delays or duplication in coursework.

    Tech Prep education programs address the finding that many people learn best in an experiential setting, not in the abstract.  Tech Prep education utilizes an applied curriculum, balancing theory and practice, to maximize learning opportunities for students.  Tech Prep can serve all students, helping them to connect the challenge of learning with future world of work applications.

    While Tech Prep education is an alternative to traditional academic preparation for postsecondary study, it does not limit opportunities for students who wish to pursue advanced education.  In many instances, Tech Prep applied courses have been evaluated and approved by the New York State Education Department as fulfilling Regents course requirements.

What mandates do we have to meet?

      Dr. Daggett, a prolific author, is president of the International Center for Leadership in Education. He began his speech by stating that public education today is required to provide students with "intellectual development, transmission of culture, citizenship, higher education and employment." The last three goals are more recent mandates.

    Dr. Daggett stressed that teachers are under enormous pressure to help students meet these goals through the mandate of higher standards. He warned the audience, however, not to lose sight of the dual responsibility to offer excellence and equity.

    Gerardine Ferlins, CEO of Cirtronics Corporation and an active proponent of school-to-work initiatives in New Hampshire, extended Dr. Daggett's point about equity by discussing the challenges faced by ambitious women in the business world. Ms. Ferlins suggested that women should not try to emulate males in the workplace but should, instead, develop their own management styles.She also spoke glowingly about the potential of school-to-work initiatives but cautioned educators to follow through on promises made to business partners.

What is the future of Tech-Prep?

   Alan C. November,  a senior partner with Educational Renaissance Planners,  offered a visionary perspective on the power of the new technology to reshape education.

   He believes that online courses will grow in number and importance, especially at the postsecondary level. He also believes that staff development efforts designed to meet the mandate for higher standards would proceed at a more productive rate if teachers would share their innovations on the Internet.

  Lastly, he implored educators to provide WEB pages to their students, to ask students to solve open-ended problems and to present their work to an authentic, worldwide audience on the Internet. Tech Prep and School-to-Work practitioners hosted 54 workshops which focused on multiple strategies for helping educators develop the capacity to help students meet standards of excellence.