The Capital Area Partners for Educational Reform (CAPER) is a Tech Prep Consortium that utilizes the mutual expertise of its partners to affect educational reform that will prepare students to be life-long learners and productive citizens who compete successfully in the global economy of the 21st Century. The mission of CAPER is to coordinate ongoing cooperation, collaboration, and communication between area public school divisions, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and the community at large to assure excellence in academic and career and technical education for all students throughout the Consortium's service area.

Leadership for CAPER is provided by J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in cooperation with six school divisions including Goochland County Public Schools, Hanover County Public Schools, Henrico County County Public Schools, Louisa County Public Schools, Powhatan County Public Schools, and Richmond City Public Schools. An Executive Committee and Steering Committee provide input and direction for the CAPER Management Plan and Accountability/Financial Reports.

• CAPER Executive Committee
• CAPER Steering Committee

The focus for CAPER Consortium activities is on the following:

• Regional cooperation and support
• High expectations for all students
• Tech Prep Career Pathways that include a challenging blend of academic and technical courses
• Dual enrollment (which provides students an opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school)
• Activities that enhance students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
• Partnerships between education and business, government, parents, and the community at large
• Career guidance and planning
• Career exploration beginning in the elementary school

Accomplishing the mission of the CAPER Consortium depends on the commitment and participation of faculty, counselors, and administrators of secondary and postsecondary schools; representatives of area businesses and industries; and students and parents. Consequently, rather than focusing on how each community will structure, promote, implement, and evaluate education reform at the local level, the Consortium serves as a resource to support the reform process in the following ways:

• By providing leadership to curriculum restructuring initiatives at the secondary and collegiate levels.
• By developing articulated educational paths and dual enrollment programs between secondary and postsecondary educational institutions.
• By promoting the concept of shared administrative functions, facilities, resources, and personnel.
• By ensuring that there is a proactive support system for students that includes informed, trained secondary and postsecondary guidance personnel who are committed to helping all students be successful.
• By facilitating regional alliances between education and business to enhance communication and ongoing review and definition of the educational needs of the next generation workforce.
• By providing professional development opportunities for teachers, counselors, and administrators responsible for implementing reform.
• By promoting the broad goals and accomplishments of the Consortium throughout the service region and by assisting school divisions with the development of their own public relations and marketing initiatives designed to increase awareness of educational reform with their local communities.