Introduction

This study is a sequel of a mixed-method research project that was initiated in 1998 or earlier, utilizing cross-comparative case studies and outcomes assessment in Tech Prep consortia in California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, New York, North Carolina, and Texas. Building on initial results, the study tracks postsecondary education and employment outcomes for nearly 4,700 Tech Prep participants and non-participants through the fall of 2000, collecting data on secondary academic attainment, postsecondary participation, retention, and completion as well as employment. The study includes one three-day field visit to each site to document changes in Tech Prep implementation, including professional development, curriculum revision, and evaluation.

Goals

1. To provide an in-depth description of selected local Tech Prep initiatives, focusing on implementation policies and practice designed to enhance student transition from high school to postsecondary education and work.
   
2. To document the educational experiences and outcomes of student participants in local Tech Prep systems, and compare those experiences and outcomes to a comparable group of non-participants.


3. To examine the various qualitative dimensions of students' experiences in Tech Prep, developing a richer and deeper understanding of stduents' perceptions of their experiences and the successes and failures they attribute to Tech Prep.

Activities

The dominant qualitative approach involoved case study research utilizing field visits, in-depth personal interviews, classroom observations, and exensive document review and analysis. The less dominant design employed methods using follow up survey research and transcript analysis to complement the case studies.
In addition, the research design encouraged a great deal of local involvement. Regular telephone and email communications provided two-way conversations that kept local stakeholders informed and supported the level of dialoge necessary to gain the necessary level of insight into the complex relationship between implementations and outcomes.

Sample Products

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

	New Lessons About Tech Prep Implementation: Changes in Eight Selected Consortia Since Reauthorization of the Federal Tech Prep Legislation in 1998. Debra D. Bragg and William Reger. 2002 (To purchase this report, click here.)
	Promising Outcomes for Tech Prep Participants in Eight Local Consortia: A Summary of Initial Results. Debra D. Bragg. National Research Center for Career and Technical Education. 2001. (To purchase this report, click here.)
	Tech Prep Implementation and Preliminary Student Outcomes for Eight Local Tech Prep Consortia. Debra D. Bragg, et al. National Center for Research in Vocational Education. 1999.
	Measuring Tech Prep Excellence: A Practitioner's Guide to Evaluation. Sheila Ruhland. National Research Center for Career and Technical Education. (To purchase this report, click here.)
	Tech Prep/School-to-Work Partnerships: More Trends and Challenges. Debra D. Bragg, et al. National Center for Research in Vocational Education. 1997.
	Educator, Student, and Employer Priorities for Tech Prep Student Outcomes    Debra D. Bragg. National Center for Research in Vocational Education. 1997.

Participating staff: Debra D. Bragg, Chi-Ping Deng, Yuqin Gong, Jane Loeb, Carrie H. Brown,
                              Donna E. Dare, Margaret Terry Orr