Tech Prep Programs: The Role And Essential Elements

The purpose of this study was to gain consensus from a panel of experts on the role and the essential elements for high quality Tech Prep programs. A modified Delphi process was used in this study. According to the magnitude of round-three group mean and median responses, the panel was judged to have "strong agreement" with 28 and "some agreement" with 5 items. The panel strongly agreed Tech Prep programs will: include junior or community colleges, area vocational technical schools, and comprehensive high schools; have a role in helping reshape outcomes of schools districts; have a role in refocusing the need for career exploration and counseling; eliminate or blur the lines between college prep and vocational programs with the elimination of the general track; provide time for collaborative planning and development between the academic and vocational staff; include summer teacher internships with business for both vocational and academic teachers.