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For PostSecondary Educators

PostSecondary Educators

Definition of Tech Prep

  • A Tech Prep student is one who has a four-year or six-year plan that includes participation in an approved official Tech Prep program designed specifically to prepare the student for a postsecondary degree, certificate, or approved apprenticeship leading to employment in a related technical career field.
  • To be approved, a Tech Prep program must be governed by a consortium between secondary and post-secondary educational institutions with a formal articulation agreement.

Postsecondary Tech Prep Student Criteria

  • Student’s high school transcript has a Six-Year Educational Plan attached that identifies the student’s planned articulated program of study linking high school and postsecondary vocational-technical courses.
  • Student’s transcript indicates that he/she graduated high school under the Technical or Dual path rather than the University path.
  • Student’s high school transcript indicates that the student completed at least three units in a vocational-technical area and one unit in a related vocational-technical area or four units in the same area.
  • Student was enrolled in a high school program with a formal Articulation Agreement between the high school and a postsecondary institution.

Postsecondary Tech Prep Count

An incoming student is counted as a Tech Prep student if the individual:

  • Has completed a secondary sequential vocational concentration consisting of three credits in a focus and one unit in a related area, or an additional credit in sequence. An unofficial copy of the high school transcript must be attached to the request for articulation to the Tech Prep coordinator;
  • Has enrolled in an institution of higher education, (i.e., technical center or two-year college), an apprenticeship program, or other approved education/training program within 15 months of high school graduation; and
  • Has gained benefit through the articulation process.*

*An example of benefit would be the receiving of credit or waiver of course work at the postsecondary institution for work done at the secondary level. Dual enrollment could be considered a benefit if accomplished under an articulation agreement.