Tech Prep Technical Assistance

NTPN and CORD offer customized professional development tailored for local program improvement. A wide range of workshop topics is available to help Tech Prep practitioners and other workforce development professionals lead their programs to new heights.

To schedule a workshop on one of the topics listed below contact Debra Mills at 217-247-9930 or by e-mail, dmills@cord.org.

Meet the Presenter and read about upcoming workshops.

Unleashing the Power of Technical Career Pathways - Empowering School Site Teams
The secret to unleashing the power of technical career pathways is to empower local schools to lead the movement!
This workshop is designed to provide educational reform leaders at each school site with concise information, definitions, historical perspectives, and practical ideas about how technical career pathways can be used to improve schools, student achievement, and the quality of the workforce.  Emphasis will be placed on empowering local school personnel to lead the movement in their school with practical advice on what works - and what doesn't work. 

Integrating SCANS into the Classroom
What do you need to succeed in the world of work today? Major changes in the world of work are having a dramatic impact on what is taking place in the classroom. Concerned educators are attempting to prepare students for the new work environment.  The ability to work hard, solve problems, and work well with other people are essential skills.  The purpose of this workshop is to encourage teachers to teach in a more facilitative fashion, so that the students, not the teachers are the active learners.  Mini-lesson plans and classroom activities will be explored to develop and strengthen the SCANS Skills (employability skills) while simultaneously teaching course content.  Participants will learn and model activities to be replicated in the classroom to develop and strengthen the SCANS skills, while simultaneously teaching current course content. 

WORK-BASED LEARNING

Worksite Training
Formal training of employee mentors and trainers is necessary if work-based learning programs are to result in a world-class workforce. Learn how to help employees deliver effective student training at the worksite. Topics covered include business/education partnerships; roles of the worksite trainer; learning styles; contextual learning; training steps; assessments; listening and feedback skills; conflict resolution; and legal considerations and worker safety.

Developing a Comprehensive Work-based Learning System
The steps in developing a comprehensive work-based learning program will be outlined in the course of this workshop. Topics will include: business partners needs; return on investment; evaluation of skills and competencies; development/revision to curriculum based on needs; tuition issues; contract components; recruitment plan; selection of students; orientation; liability and insurance; employee training; and evaluation. 

Employer Partnerships
How can schools and businesses connect in a meaningful way so that both parties can benefit? This workshop explores topics such as identification of ambassadors; students in the workplace; educators in the workplace, businesses supporting the work of teachers; and business practices for partnering.

TECH PREP ADMINISTRATION

ABC’s of Tech Prep Leadership
This workshop is designed to give Tech Prep leaders at school sites practical ideas about how Tech Prep can improve schools, student achievement, and the quality of the workforce. Emphasis is placed on empowering personnel to lead reform in their school with practical advice that includes tips and strategies for developing a successful Tech Prep program.

Peer Marketing
Promoting Tech Prep and related initiatives to students is an ongoing challenge for educators. Most students don’t even know they are Tech Prep students, nor do they understand what Tech Prep is. Learn how to empower students to effectively discuss Tech Prep and its benefits. Workshop topics include communication, leadership, and presentation skills; labor market information; and teen marketing projects. 

Expanding the Options for your Students - The Counselor’s Role in Tech Prep
As the world races into the technology-driven information age, America's schools are experiencing a virtual transformation.  Each educational institution must find the path that is appropriate for its own transformation.  The search for that path requires leadership from people who are known and trusted by students, teachers, administrators, parents, employers, and other members of the educational community.  Counseling is a critical component of any education reform effort.  Topics for this workshop include: Trends in national, state and local labor markets; technical careers; counselor's role in promoting self and career awareness in grades K-5; counselor's role in encouraging career exploration (6-8); counselor's role in assisting students in career preparation (9-14); counselors and parents.

Marketing Career Education
Effective marketing plans are as critical to the success of career education initiatives as are relevant, rigorous instructional programs.  The technical education concept, its benefits, and values must be marketed to administrators, faculty, counselors, local businesses and industries, students, parents, local government agencies, and the community.  Workshop topics include what, how, and when to market and to whom.  Participants will begin the draft of a marketing plan.

Tech Prep Leadership at the Community College
Strategies for implementing tech prep at the postsecondary level will be explored. Strategies for partnerships with secondary institutions, universities and the community will be detailed.  Participants will participate in a self-assessment for possible activities at the postsecondary level. Topics will also include contextual teaching at the community college, workbased learning, and articulation. Models from across the country will be explored.

Developing a Professional Development Plan
Professional development continues to be critical to the successful implementation of Tech Prep. Educational reform.  It requires much from teachers that is “outside the box” of traditional education. Teachers need tools to change and to redefine their teaching styles. Topics include helping teachers overcome attitudes and beliefs, Tech Prep/career awareness, articulation agreements, career pathways, teaching methodologies, curriculum changes, team building, educators at the worksite, and student assessment.  

Family and Community Involvement
Educators and parents play a key role in shaping a child’s career aspirations. In this workshop participants will learn how to help students discover their talents and career interests; help parents address the barriers they face in helping their children; and help educators work with parents. Participants develop their own plan using activities that involve parents and the community in the educational reform process.

The New Vision: The Next Generation of Tech Prep
Tech Prep consortia across the nation have made significant progress during the last ten years.  However, there is always room for improvement. The question is not only what can we do better in Tech Prep, but what should we be doing in Tech Prep? In this workshop goals and strategies for taking Tech Prep to the next level will be explored. Participants will also develop a work plan which includes goals and strategies, activities planned, group responsible, and a timeline.

Program Evaluation
Workshop Option 1: Local evaluation of Tech Prep determines the quality, effectiveness, and value of the outcomes of Tech Prep.  It is essential that evaluation be used to ensure that the Tech Prep plan produces intended results for students.  Participants will learn the process of evaluation and components needed.   A local evaluation plan will be drafted.

Workshop Option 2: The administration of Measuring Tech Prep Excellence—a series of surveys measuring the perceptions and opinions of Tech Prep/School-to-Work leaders, educators, parents, and employers-helps identify and examine program strengths and areas that need improvement.

TECH PREP CURRICULUM

Use of Standards in the Curriculum
This workshop explores curriculum reform based on academic, employability, and industry skill standards. Participants complete a grid outlining steps for curriculum reform, a timeline for implementation, and the assignment of tasks to stakeholders.

Improving the Tech Prep Curriculum
The typical Tech Prep curriculum is divided into three two-year phases. Workshop participants will learn the components and outcomes of each phase of the Tech Prep curriculum and begin sketching an “egg crate model” for their particular curriculum. Identification of clusters, career majors, and technical specialties will be outlined along with the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.

Contextual Teaching and Learning
Contextual teaching strategies are very appropriate for courses in a Tech Prep curriculum because academic concepts are taught within the context of careers and real-world experiences. This workshop will explore the concept of contextual learning, learning styles, multiple intelligences, the five essential forms of learning, and steps for implementing contextual teaching strategies. 

Focusing Students on Career Pathways
Success in today’s rapidly changing world requires students to embrace a challenging course of study while in school to achieve their academic and career potential. A career pathway can help students focus their career interests. Workshop participants will learn about and complete a plan for successful implementation of a career pathways system in their own schools.

• Virtual Tradeshow
• Meet the Presenter