Tech Prep Facts
Tech Prep is an educational reform movement that has been around for over 12 years and is funded through the Carl Perkins Act. Illinois is a leader in Tech Prep nationwide.
Tech Prep tries to match a targeted group of students with targeted occupations using targeted federal and state funds to assist in focusing their interest and developing and expanding their academic and technical skill levels.
Tech Prep students are identified no later than as juniors in high school. They are students who choose a course of study that will lead to a two-year associate of applied science degree, but who may go on to a four year degree. Their home high school must have the basics of a technical program (an introductory course and two additional technical courses) that can articulate with the community college program. One of the regional work based learning programs can be used to complete the program if the high school does not have all three classes. A high school program articulated with a union apprenticeship program also qualifies for Tech Prep.
All Tech Prep students have a career plan on file at their high schools mapping out the coursework needed to obtain their AAS degree. They start this plan usually in the 9th grade but can begin Tech Prep as early as the 8th grade starting with career exploration.
Tech Prep students must also have "off campus" learning experiences. Most Tech Prep students job shadow. Others are involved in regional work based learning programs or a related co-op work experience or internship.
Applied/Contextual learning is an important part of Tech Prep as is Team Teaching and cross-curricular activities. An integrated curriculum is a cornerstone of Tech Prep.
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Academics are just as important in Tech Prep as are the vocational/technical classes. Tech Prep students should not need academic remediation once they start college. Tech Prep students may require help to reach their academic goals through non-traditional teaching methods.
Tech Prep occupations should be high skilled, high wage, high demand occupations.
Tech Prep is considered college prep. Tech Prep students should also be prepared for life-long learning.
Tech Prep targets the middle 50% of high school students with the idea that Tech Prep teaching practices will enhance and advance their reading, math, English, and science levels by presenting materials to them in a way in which they can understand and relate to it (ie through applied/contextual learning).
Tech Prep students in the Illinois Central College region can earn college credit while still in high school through either articulated or dual credit courses.
Tech Prep students will be more career-focused and better prepared academically and vocationally for the world of work than non-tech prep students. TP curriculum is relevant and rigorous.
Not all Associate of Applied Science Degree or Tech Prep programs are "terminal". Illinois Central College has articulation agreements with many four-year colleges and universities for various AAS degree programs, whereby ICC students in these programs are accepted as juniors. These are called "capstone" programs. ICC AAS degree transfer students can actually have an advantage over juniors at the same college or university due to their advanced technical knowledge and practical application experiences.
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