On the cutting edge of high school reform, tech prep provides school districts with a reform process for career pathway development. Implementing the Tech Prep process requires school sites to carefully examine and redesign existing courses and programs in five overlapping stages: preplanning, planning, development, implementation, and institutionalization.

The Tech Prep process is one of the dynamic school-to-career delivery systems that address grades 9-14 that is being implemented by Agricultural Education instructors in school districts and ROC/P’s throughout the state. Sites that have effectively implemented the Tech Prep process exhibit the below listed characteristics:

• Redesigned and new secondary curriculum
• Elevated and new post-secondary curriculum
• Integrated academic and career pathway content
• Career exploration, counseling and guidance
• Sequenced and articulated courses, grades 9-14
• Contextual learning
• Partnerships with business and industry
• Work based learning experiences
• Associate and/or baccalaureate degree potential
• Strong labor market outlook with potential for higher-wages

The Tech Prep process links grades 9-12 through the Agricultural Core Curriculum and the agricultural clusters of: Ornamental Horticulture, Animal Science, Plant and Soil Science, Agricultural Business Management, Agricultural Mechanics, and Forestry and Natural Resources; in a career pathway thus providing a seamless curriculum. This allows students to prepare for a career or advancement in a career with the option to enter a two-year or four-year institution for further study.

A contract with the Stanislaus County Office of Education established the Central Valley Consortium for Agricultural Education Tech Prep to provide the following services:

• Develop resource and instructional materials
• Establish Tech Prep demonstration sites
• Provide for professional development activities for teachers and administrators
• Conduct statewide education institutes
• Assist demonstration sites in the development and institutionalization of the Tech Prep process
• Develop and conduct field reviews of curriculum materials

The demonstration sites implementing agriculture career pathways using the Tech Prep process are as follows:

• Grace Davis HS
• Patterson HS
• Santa Ynez HS
• La Sierra HS

Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 1990 (Title III-Part E), as well as state and local funds, provide support for the programs. Mini-grants and professional development activities for program development are provided through the Central Valley Consortium for Agricultural Education Tech Prep.

Agricultural Education programs implementing the Tech Prep process serve a diverse population of high school students and adults in grades 9-14.

Career pathway development has produced significant cooperation among:

• Educational levels in the development of an articulated sequence of courses
• Education, industry, labor and the community
• Interdisciplinary teams for cross-curricular integration
• Student program completers who continue to post-secondary education
• Academic and Agriculture Education teachers who note increased job satisfaction

Central Valley Consortium for Agricultural Education Tech Prep Coordinator
(209) 525-5037
http://www.yosemite.cc.ca.us/AgEd/welcome.html

Additional Contact Information

Agricultural Education Program | Agricultural Incentive Grant Program
Tech Prep | Future Farmers of America | Agricultural Literacy and Awareness

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