Tech Prep refers to a combined secondary and two-year postsecondary program of study that is seamless and has integrated options for work-based learning. Tech Prep programs of study include a blend of academic and career and technical courses that may be articulated and/or dual enrolled with courses at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (JSRCC) through a formal agreement between the College and secondary schools/technical centers in the CAPER/JSRCC region. This enables high school students to earn college credits while still in high school and to make a smooth transition to selected Associate Degree programs at JSRCC after they graduate from high school.

• Tech Prep Career Pathways
  
• What is a Tech Prep Student?
  
• Tech Prep/Career Pathways Agreement for Programs
  
• Dual Credit
  
• How Tech Prep Works
  
• Why is Tech Prep Needed?
  
• Benefits for Students
  
• Benefits for Parents
  
• Community Benefits
  
• How Can You Prepare for Your Future?
  

TECH PREP CAREER PATHWAYS

• are carried out under an articulation agreement between the participants in the consortium;



• combine at a minimum two years of secondary education (as determined under State law) with a minimum of two years of postsecondary education in a nonduplicative, sequential course of study, with a common core of required proficiency in mathematics, science, reading, writing, communications, and technologies designed to lead to an associate's degree or a postsecondary certificate in a specific career field;



• integrate academic, and career and technical, instruction, and utilizes work-based and worksite learning where appropriate and available;



• meet academic standards developed by the State;



• provide technical preparation in a career field such as engineering technology, applied science, a mechanical, industrial, or practical art of trade, agriculture, health occupations, business, or applied economics;



• link secondary schools and 2-year postsecondary institutions, and if possible and practicable, 4-year institutions of higher education through nonduplicative sequences of courses in career fields;



• build student competence in mathematics, science, reading, writing, communications, economics, and workplace skills through applied, contextual academics, and integrated instruction, in a coherent sequence of courses;



• lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or a postsecondary certificate in a specific career field; and



• leads to placement in appropriate employment or to further education.
  
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WHAT IS A TECH PREP STUDENT?

A Tech Prep student is one who is enrolled in a sequential Career and Technical Education (CTE) course in high school that may lead to internship, apprenticeship, and/or a two or four-year college degree. | Top of Page |




TECH PREP/CAREER PATHWAYS AGREEMENT FOR PROGRAMS BETWEEN J. SARGEANT REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND CAPER/TECH PREP SCHOOL DIVISIONS

CAPER--Capital Area Partners for Educational Reform:  A consortium with membership comprised of Goochland County Public Schools, Hanover County Public Schools, Henrico County Public Schools, Louisa County Public Schools, Powhatan County Public Schools, Richmond City Public Schools and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

Articulation:  The coordination of instructional programs through the sequencing of the acquisition of knowledge and skills as students move from one instructional level to another (as from high school to college or to apprenticeship) to ensure adequate preparation for subsequent courses and to avoid unnecessary duplication of instructional content.

Dual Credit:  A  contract under which secondary students are enrolled in a postsecondary course and, upon successful completion, receive both secondary and postsecondary credit.

Statement of Purpose:  The purpose of this agreement and attached management plan is to highlight and provide a mechanism for the articulation of selected programs offered by J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College/Tech Prep and the CAPER school divisions. The agreement is to provide a means by which Tech Prep students can be better prepared to enter an associate degree program, certificate or an apprenticeship program. Secondary and postsecondary schools will work together to facilitate student progress through the full range of learning experiences in all Tech Prep programs.  Responsibility will be shared for communicating information about the programs to students, parents, business & industry and the community for effective academic/career planning. This agreement between CAPER school divisions and a community college is to encourage students to continue their education beyond high school by defining a specific set of courses, with competencies identified by the secondary school system and the community college.  An articulated program may include but not be limited to a one-year or two-year secondary plus two-year postsecondary, apprenticeship or qualified certificate program.  Programs may have provisions for dual enrollment credit as established by the Outreach and Recruitment Department of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and the respective school division.

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DUAL CREDIT

• Curriculum and textbooks are the same as those used at the college.



• Classes are taught at the high school or students may go to the community college.



• Upon successful completion of the course, or courses, students in high school receive both high school and college credit for identified dual credit course(s).



• Students may begin college with all or part of their freshman credits.
  
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HOW TECH PREP WORKS

Most careers fall into one of several career areas or clusters. Economic experts suggest that careers in the 21st century will center around 16 career areas:

1. Agriculture and Natural Resources
2. Architecture and Construction
3. Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communication Services
4. Business and Administration
5. Education and Training
6. Finance
7. Government and Public Administration
8. Health Science
9. Hospitality and Tourism
10. Human Services
11. Information Technology
12. Law and Public Safety
13. Manufacturing
14. Retail/Wholesale Sales and Service
15. Scientific Research and Engineering
16. Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Students’ choices in high school include studies and experiences in a career area associated with one of the career families.

TECH PREP blends high-level academic and technical courses that are articulated and/or dual-enrolled with courses at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. This enables high school students to earn college credits while still in high school and enables them to make a smooth transition, free of duplication, to selected Associate Degree programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and other community colleges in Virginia after they graduate from high school.

By blending high-level academic and technical courses, TECH PREP ensures high school graduates a smooth transition, free of duplication, to the Associate Degree programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and other community colleges in Virginia. | Top of Page |




WHY IS TECH PREP NEEDED?

Advancing technology and the evolving service economy will create jobs demanding higher skills, necessitating the move to a high productivity work organization. More than 70 percent of the jobs in America require some advanced level of education, an average of 13.5 years, with an emphasis on both academic and occupational skills. A high school diploma is not an end goal, but a foundation for future success. Students see little relationship in how well they do in school and what kind of job they can get after school. Tech Prep helps students discover relationships between solid academic skills and the jobs and careers they plan to pursue. The integration of academic and occupational education, with an emphasis on math, science and language arts in a meaningful context significantly will improve the performance levels of students in school and of employees following formal education. Preparation for work and further education will be a key element in an individual's ability to survive successfully in the world class workforce of the future. | Top of Page |




BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS

• Active involvement in the learning process



• Higher expectations and increased opportunities



• Less repetition and enhanced postsecondary placement opportunities



• Knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to succeed in a high skills, high wage economy



• Save money on college tuition, save time in earning a college degree, and receive advanced standing in college



• Course sequencing for smoother transition, less repetition, and enhanced postsecondary placement opportunities



• Life-long learning competencies, including skills in teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving



• Systematic matching of the goals of schooling with real life needs



• Educational and social environments that value, nurture and reward knowledge and skills



• Knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to succeed in a high skills, high wage, global economy
  
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BENEFITS FOR PARENTS

• Coordinated degree programs with identified career paths begin in high school and lead to an associate degree or higher



• A focused program of studies includes math, science, English/language arts and technology taught in an meaningful setting



• Less repetition and enhanced postsecondary placement opportunities



• Knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to succeed in a high skills, high wage economy



• Save money on college tuition, save time in earning a college degree, and receive advanced standing in college



• High educational costs can be avoided



• Students are engaged in learning



• Education makes sense and becomes understandable to your student



• Parents & students become more involved in career planning



• Collaborative partnerships are formed between students, parents, educators, government and business/industry
  
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COMMUNITY BENEFITS

• Career guidance keeps students in school, reducing truancy and dropouts



• Graduates obtain both education and skills for employment today



• Lifelong learning and transferable skills allow employees to grow, develop and adapt on the job



• Business expectations of work ethic integrated into curriculum



• Students enter the workplace academically and technically prepared, reducing employer training costs



• Students know how to apply knowledge and skills to solve work-related problems



• Life-long learning and transferable skills allow employees to grow, develop, and adapt on the job



• Efficient, productive businesses contribute to Virginia's economic development
  
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HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE?

All individuals can expect to work, earn a living, and build a career. To do this successfully requires planning and selecting a career goal that is right for you. You need to set personal goals that will give focus to your years of education. These goals should be outlined in a career and educational plan developed with the assistance of your family and a school counselor. Your career and educational plan provides a strategy for accomplishing your goals. Consider your abilities, interests, and preferences as you map out your goals and career and educational plan. Career development is a lifelong process and the options and opportunities are limitless.