Introduction

Since the early 1990s, the Office of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL) has been providing technical assistance related to Tech Prep implementation to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and others in Illinois and nationally. The intent is to insure that Tech Prep is conducted according to federal guidelines as well as to facilitate the development of high quality, effective programs.

Goals

1. To conduct research related to Tech Prep implementation.
   
2. To provide guidelines and resources for the development of high quality Tech Prep programs.
   
3. To serve as a resource for policy makers and staff on good practices related to Tech Prep implementation and evaluation.
   
4. To disseminate information on the status of Tech Prep in Illinois and nationally.

Activities

A range of activities has been conducted designed to improve Tech Prep implementation in Illinois. These include the presentation of professional development workshops for practitioners and policy makers, the preparation of a guidebook on planning strategies, the development of an online course on Tech Prep management, the publication of briefs and articles, the presentation of conference sessions, and the implementation of a number of research projects on specific dimensions of Tech Prep.

Products

A wide variety of products has resulted from this project, some of which are available on our website. They include:

 Strategic Planning for Illinois Tech Prep
 Illinois Tech Prep Planning Strategies- a guidebook
  Briefs on the status of Illinois Tech Prep
 Introduction to Tech Prep: A Self-Directed Learning Program
 Conference presentations on Tech Prep in Illinois and nationally
 Resources on Tech Prep
     - Exemplary Practices in the Tech Prep (2000 | 2001)
     - Sample Surveys for Tech Prep
        * Education To Careers Follow-Up Survey
        * Midwest Central High School Senior Survey
        * Educator Survey
        * College Students Survey
        * School-To-Work Employer Survey

Participating staff: Debra D. Bragg, Catherine Kirby, Julia Panke Makela