WHAT WAS TECH PREP?
The Mississippi Tech Prep Initiative prepares young people for the careers of tomorrow. The program is based on principles of integration of academic and vocational education and strong applied teaching strategies. By combining innovative teaching methods and high-tech equipment, challenging, exciting classrooms will emerge.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Monroe County School District has received the Tech Prep Program for each of our K-12 Attendance Centers. All seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students in the district will participate in this program. By the 1999-2000 school year, this program will be in full operation. New "Technology Centers" will be constructed on each campus to house the Tech Prep courses.
THE PROGRAM
The Tech Prep Initiative provides an extensive career and educational planning component for students in grades 7 - 12. High school teachers will be trained to instruct students using "applied teaching strategies" in the basic academic courses. Coupled with six years of extensive career and educational planning, the Discovery Courses (listed below) introduce all students to career opportunities and high-tech computer and technological skills. Career/Educational plans are initiated in the seventh grade and updated each year through the twelfth grade. Career Centers will be created at each site to provide students with career and educational information all along the Tech Prep path.
DISCOVERY COURSES
Career Discovery at the seventh grade level introduces students to career opportunities and the skills needed for various career paths.
Computer Discovery at the eighth grade level exposes students to a multimedia environment and fundamental computer skills.
Technology Discovery at the ninth grade level enables students to explore technology resources, processes, and systems and select paths leading to career development and advanced education.