Technology educators do not have the time, energy, or resources to develop state-of-the-art curriculum changes and should work with commercial vendors to produce the best curricula. (JOW)

An award-winning tech prep program at Miami Valley Joint Vocational High School and Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, redesigned the curriculum around the idea that students work in teams and engage in hands-on projects. (JOW)

Reflects on 1980s educational reforms, the emergence of technology education and the essentialist perspective, the curriculum challenge posed by tech prep, and the reemergence of progressivism. Suggests that technology education has not articulated an appealing purpose or design. (SK)

The demand for employees capable of functioning in high-performance workplaces will only increase. There must be significant changes in technology-education curriculum for secondary programs and technology-education programs that participate in school-to-work and tech-prep programs. (JOW)

Defines contextual learning, or presenting new information to students in familiar contexts. Argues that community colleges must be ready for an anticipated increase in contextual learners due to its use in tech prep programs. Describes elements of contextual learning, its application in the classroom, and ways that colleges can prepare for…

This document contains five essays designed to help teachers and administrators improve tech prep and vocational education programs. The first essay, "Application of Psychology of Learning to Tech Prep Education and Instruction," posits that technical education instructors need to be cognizant of the following: meaningful learning; sequential…

Discusses 11 problems hindering the implementation of the tech prep movement. Reviews a North Carolina project to develop a model approach to tech prep, highlighting required core and suggested courses at the secondary level and recommended elements at the postsecondary level. Lists components of a model tech prep system. (10 citations) (AJL)