Tech Prep programs combine at least two years of high school education with two years of postsecondary education to prepare students for technical careers in areas such as engineering technology, health and human services and business/information technology. These articulated programs combine a common core of higher academics in math, science and communications with a specific field of technical preparation. Tech Prep is a college prep program that leads to an associate degree, two-year certificate or apprenticeship. Tech Prep students will be technically and academically prepared to join the workforce or continue their education towards a baccalaureate degree.
Save Money! Save Time! Receive College Credits in High School!
Tech Prep is a program that provides an opportunity for students to receive college credit for taking qualified courses while still in high school. Students in Tech Prep programs can earn college credit through:
- Content-enhanced local articulation:
- Dual credit (concurrent enrollment); and/or
- College Board Advanced Placement (AP)
Good things are happening in Tech Prep!
- Tech Prep awareness continues to grow throughout our the Alamo Tech Prep service area. At first some teachers see it as yet another thing to accomplish in their already busy teaching schedule. The process seems overwhelming. But when they stop to consider the opportunities Tech Prep may open up for some students, they often reconsider.
- Students who have not yet even considered college suddenly have a an opportunity to earn up to 15 hours of college credit. They begin to see college as a reachable goal.
The Alamo Tech Prep Consortium is made up of five community colleges in the Alamo Community College system, nine counties and and 49 local school districts working together to provide opportunities for high school students to earn college credit. Students can earn college credit at the Alamo Community Colleges while taking articulated courses in their own high school.
When enrolled in a Tech Prep articulated class, students in high school must meet the same requirements as students who take the class at the college. At the end of the course, the high school teacher notifies the Tech Prep coordinator at the college of all students who passed the class with a grade of "B" or higher. Credit is not available to students who earn below a "B."
Advantages of Articulation:
 Eliminates course work duplication.
Allows college credit for high school students.
Provides an added incentive for students to continue their education.
Allows for an easier transition to community college.
Encourages students to choose a career providing skilled employees.
Saves time and money.
Benefits for Individual Schools:
Minimizes curriculum redundancy and establishes uniform competency criteria.
Provides a forum for exchange of information among high schools and adult schools and College of the Alamo Community College system.
Encourages reevaluation and upgrading of course curriculum through continued communication within subject areas disciplines.
Increases enrollment and retention in specific career and technical areas.
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