Developed by: Alysia DeWitt

Level: 6-8

The Tech Prep Path:
What Are Your Options?


 Standards


 Learning Expectations

 This activity will help students acquire competencies which relate to the following standards:
5. Career information and career goals
6. Knowledge and skills to achieve career goals
The student will:
5.7 Assess and modify educational plans to support career goals
6.9 Assess how course selections impact career options
6.10 Identify tech prep programs that relate to academic and career choices for all student populations

General Approach		 The general approach is that children will learn valuable information associated with the Tech Prep Path by visiting various web sites, completion of two worksheets, and participation in several counselor led group discussions.

Activity Steps		 Step 1:
Lead students through a discussion:
Today, we are going to talk about and explore an academic and career related option: "The Tech Prep Path".  (Give students some background information about the Tech Prep Path at your school.) 

Step 2:
Have the students complete Worksheet 1 Focus on Tech Prep while accessing the various web sites listed on the worksheet.  If you have difficulties with the worksheet links, you can access the web site by the following: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Emergence and then clicking of the center, highlighted area.

Step 3: 
Lead students through a discussion:
Now that we have all completed the worksheet, let's gather together and discuss what we have found.  Discuss the answers to the questions and ask the students if they have found anything interesting.  (Be sure to discuss the fact that students do enroll in four year colleges even though they have selected the Tech Prep Path.)

Step 4:
Review the educational plan and the courses required for the Tech Prep Path.  If you are doing this activity with eighth graders use the new course catalog and an older course catalog can be used for sixth or seventh graders.  If you do not have access to a course catalog, use the following web site as an example (note: this will take time to download):  http://www.doe.state.in.us/publications/pdf_other/pathways.pdf

Step 5:
Have the students complete Worksheet 2 Focus on Community College .

Step 6:
Lead the students through a discussion on what they have discovered about Community Colleges with regard to programs and courses offered.  Also, discuss how their educational plan will be developed by selecting course requirements and declaring a major.  Finally, discuss their options.

Time Required		 This activity may require three 20-30 minute sessions. 
  • The first session will include a counselor Worksheet 1.
  • The second session will include a counselor led discussion relating to the Tech Prep Path and will follow with the students completing and reviewing Worksheet 1 as well as a review of a course catalog for the Tech Prep Path.
  • The final session will include the completion Worksheet 2 and a counselor led discussion to review.

Resources Needed
  1. Access to the World Wide Web
  2. Worksheet 1 Focus on Tech Prep 
  3. Worksheet 2 Focus on Community College 
  4. Pen or pencil

Performance Indicators		 Students will be able to:
Define the Tech Prep Path as well as identify different kinds of occupations associated with this path.
Examine several Community Colleges regarding the Tech Prep program.
Associate how course selection and educational plans may impact future career options.