Tech Prep in Virginia develops career pathways or programs of study that begin in high school and continue through an associate or baccalaureate degree, a journeyman’s license, a postsecondary level industry certification, or a state licensure. Tech Prep programs are designed to prepare the emerging workforce for higher education and entry into high wage, high demand, or high skills career fields.
Tech Prep Career Pathways serve CTE students from high school through community college or an apprenticeship. Tech Prep students are initially identified as high school CTE students currently or previously enrolled in a dual-enrollment course.
Tech Prep Career Pathways are four to six year programs of study that begin in high school and end with a postsecondary credential, such as an associate degree or baccalaureate degree. Each Tech Prep Career Pathway contains academic and CTE courses at the secondary and postsecondary level. All Tech Prep Career Pathways prepare participants for high demand occupational fields, such as Engineering Technology, Allied Health, and more. Tech Prep programs are aligned with national career clusters and pathways. Additional features of Tech Prep programs in VA include:
- College credits through dual-enrollment
- Early college placement testing
- Certifications and licensures
- Business-based learning, including internships, cooperative education, and project-based learning
- Career coaching…and more
Tech Prep in Virginia is a federally funded grant program administered by all 23 community colleges in the Commonwealth on behalf of local consortia comprised of secondary and postsecondary education partners, local employers, and regional economic and workforce development entities. In 2009-10, the VCCS distributed $2,347.810 to community colleges through Tech Prep grants.
In Spring 2008, more than 6,912 secondary students throughout the Commonwealth graduated from high school having completed Tech Prep dual-enrollment credits. Of those students, 2,455 entered community colleges as Tech Prep postsecondary students in 2008-09 academic year.
Beginning in 2008-09, the VCCS will collect and report on state and local performance against new national Tech Prep benchmarks. See Tech Prep National Performance Measures
Not listed
Career Pathways Definitions
Tech Prep National Performance Measures
Career Clusters and Pathways
Career Pathway Template Information Sheet
Career Pathway Blank Templates
Definition of a Tech Prep Student
Dual Enrollment: A VCCS Student Success Snapshot
State Dual Enrollment Contract
Validated Course Credit Guidelines
Data Elements to Use Validated Course Credits to Identify Tech Prep Students
Workforce Credential Issue Brief
National Career Pathways Network
States' Career Clusters