Tech-Prep Programs: Issues in Implementing the Carl Perkins Amendments of 1990. Working Papers.

Federal and state policy makers face 11 issues in implementing the Carl Perkins Vocational Education Amendments of 1990. A preliminary issue is whether federal policy makers or the states should establish further definitions of and restrictions on what constitutes tech prep (articulated secondary-postsecondary technical preparation programs). Assuming substantial state participation in defining policies related to tech prep, the next issue is the relationship between the secondary and the postsecondary state agencies. Another issue is the types of approaches to or models of tech prep appropriate for federal funding. Still other issues include whether states should allocate funds for tech prep by a competitive process or by formula; the kind of process states should establish to set state policies and develop state plans; fields of study that should qualify for tech prep programs; and whether there should be limitations on the ages of postsecondary students supported by tech prep funds. Other issues are the practices federal and state officials should encourage to ensure that as many students as possible complete tech-prep programs; steps they can take to ensure that tech prep programs are well connected to other programs in both secondary and postsecondary institutions; requirements in local applications; and the type of relationship between tech prep programs and efforts to integrate academic and vocational education under basic state grants. (YLB)