Counselors at the secondary and postsecondary levels have multiple responsibilities. One of the seven essential elements of Tech Prep is professional development for counselors, suggesting that counselor roles and responsibilities do influence the success of Tech Prep.

An ex post facto survey design by this researcher was used with all counselors affiliated with seven postsecondary Tech Prep demonstration sites in Illinois. The entire population of 232 counselors was surveyed for this study; a total of 148 surveys (64%) were returned. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlational analysis, and factor analysis.

Secondary counselors reported an average of 2 hours and 45 minutes per week on Tech Prep activities, whereas community college counselors reported less then 10 minutes per week an average. While community college counselors viewed their institutions as more supportive or Tech Prep than secondary counselors, they reported much less time committed to it on average.

The majority of counselors had participated in reading newsletters and brochures about Tech Prep, participated in a series of workshops or in a one-time Tech Prep workshop. Less than one-quarter of the counselors had participated in more intensive, on-going professional development approaches such as planning Tech Prep curriculum, participating in study groups, conducting self-directed projects, or taking graduate courses.

Using Principle Axis Factor (PAF) analysis with varimax rotation, six latent factors were found to be associated with counselor preparation for roles in Tech Prep. They were to: (1) provide career oriented information to students, (2) maintain internal and external relationships, (3) monitor programs, (4) communicate about Tech Prep, (5) plan innovative curriculum, and (6) make market connections.

The findings have implications for how secondary and community college counselors, local administrators, state administrator and professional development providers implement professional development for counselors engaged in Tech Prep.