1994

WEEK OF I\- 2..~ "tL{

Thousands attendTech Prep conference More than 3,000 Tech Prep practitioner:. - including a host of area educators - attended the Na– ti&nal Tech Prep Network Fall Con– ference held recently in Minneapo– lis, Minnesota. ing a an agent of positive change for America's workforce as well as its educational sy~tem, thank' to the cooperation, partJcapation and commitment from high schools and community colleges. local employ– ers, teachers, parent~ and students.

Sandra Winstead, math teacher and Steve Hansford, biology teacher, representing Union Municipal Schools; Fr

Selected as the theme of this year's meeting was, "Connecting School-to-Work Through Tech Prep," and included a pre!;entation by Doug Ross of the United States Department of Labor who spoke on "School to Work: Connecting Edu– cation and Business - A National Perspective." Other presentations were made on developing effective partnerships betwee~~d ucators atict private industry, career guid– ance, curriculum and evaluation. During his remarks, Ross pre– dicted that by the year 2000, 20 per– cent of all careers will require a four-year degree; and 80 percent will require postsecondary ~tud ies beyond high school but less than a baccalaureate degree. The government official stressed the above figures represent an "alarming" statistic, "especially at a time when America's industry is demanding qualified techniciC\ns - a must if this nation is to remain competitive in a economy that grows more international each year." Reports from America's em– ployers indicate they arc looking for workers having advanced techmcal skills, workers who have mastered the basic academics and can apply them to solve basic problems, Ross said. That's where Tech Prep enters the picture, Ross added, stating that the new concept is designed for students to Jearn theory in hands-on settings and put into practice the skills they have mastered "By putting theory into practice imme– diately students are turned on rather than turned off by learning," he said. Mrs. Maudean Sanders, Tech Prep Coordinator at East Central Community College who was among those attending the five-day conference, said Tech Prep is serv-

In addition to Mrs. Sander.... other area educator, who attended the National Tech Prep Conference included ECCC officiah Dr. Eddie M. Smith, President, and Roger Wh itlock, Work-Based Lea rning Coord1nator. Also attending were Pat Caldwell, assistant superintendent from the Newton High School Tech Prep Pilot Site; Tom Johnson, junior high principal, Mrs Polly Gordon, counselor, Mr...

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