Tech Prep is a college-preparatory, advanced placement program that provides students with academic as well as applied technical skills. The high school program prepares students to continue in a college program that leads to a minimum of a two-year postsecondary degree (or apprenticeship license). Consequently, Tech Prep high school graduation plans are based on the Recommended High School Program (RHSP).

A Tech Prep student’s high school graduation plan includes a coherent sequence of two (2) or more career and technology courses for three (3) or more credits. At least one of these career and technology courses must be eligible for college credit through articulation (local or statewide), or dual credit by concurrent enrollment.

A Tech Prep secondary student is a student who has indicated that he or she intends to follow an approved Tech Prep high school graduation plan articulated with a postsecondary program, and is participating in classes within the pathway. The plan includes a coherent sequence of two (2) or more career and technology courses for three (3) or more credits.

The student may or may not be receiving college credit for courses taught during a specific semester, but will generally receive college credit for at least one content-enhanced career and technology course taken during high school.

A student does not need to take all courses in the approved plan to be considered a secondary Tech Prep student. The student is coded Career and Technology Indicator Code (C/T) PEIMS code 3 each year as long as the student maintains intent to participate in the program.

A student does not need to complete all courses in a Tech Prep high school graduation plan to be a high school Tech Prep student or to continue in a postsecondary Tech Prep program, although a student should take a majority of the plan, including courses eligible for college credit.

Although students are encouraged to take as many courses in the Recommended High School Program as possible, they are not required to complete the program to be a Tech Prep student.

Tech Prep students are identified in grades 9-12 by the following:

• The student has a 4-year Tech Prep high school graduation plan described above; and
• The student has enrolled in, or completed, the first career and technology course in the plan.

Students are coded annually as Career and Technology Indicator Code (C/T) PEIMS code 3 based on their intent to continue to follow this graduation plan.

A student may declare intent to participate in a Tech Prep high school graduation plan in a number of ways. These may include:

• A four-year high school graduation plan that includes a locally-developed career and technology course sequence that is part of a state-approved Tech Prep plan with a college
• Completion of a locally-developed intent form
• Record of a student’s verbal statement of intent documented by an advisor (counselor, teacher, or administrator). TEA PEIMS website