Perkins Career and Technical Education Program

Tech Prep Delaware (TPDE) was established in 1986 by the Delaware General Assembly after a House Resolution provided the funds to research secondary to postsecondary cooperative vocational programs at the national and state levels. These actions provided the framework to establish the Tech Prep Delaware Statewide Consortium. This program operated for four years using State funds exclusively.

The 1990 Perkins Act supported Tech Prep program activities and created a source of federal funds to expand the program to all Delaware public high schools and institutions of higher education. This dual funding stream (federal and state funds) continued until 2010, when Congress eliminated Title II Tech Prep Education funding set forth in the Perkins Act of 2006.

Since its inception, TPDE’s primary mission is to provide a seamless curricular transition for students from secondary to postsecondary education to the labor market. This mission is accomplished by providing advanced credit articulation agreements between secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and postsecondary partners. Per the Epilogue language included in the annual State Operating Budget, the Delaware Tech Prep Consortium is formed to provide for overall CTE program development and management, coordination and technical assistance. To that end, TPDE will continue to provide statewide leadership in the development and maintenance of partnerships between secondary and postsecondary programs to provide advanced credit opportunities for Delaware students. These opportunities include “2+2 programs”, “2+4 programs”, and “bridges to apprenticeship” programs to provide a Tech Prep Education Program that will lead to a two year associates degree, a one–year diploma, a four year degree, advanced apprenticeship standing or industry certification. Since 1986 TPDE has expanded program partnerships to over 700 articulations. The scope of TPDE partnerships includes both in–state and out–of–state postsecondary institutions and the State of Delaware Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program. TPDE will also provide support to the Delaware Department of Education in the implementation and expansion of Programs of Study.

The Consortium Board of Directors includes representation from the county–wide vocational technical school districts, comprehensive local school districts, the community college system, the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education, state and private institutions of higher education and business and industry. Polytech School District is the financial agent for the Consortium. The Consortium will adopt rules and regulations consistent with state regulations and any federal legislation that may apply. Although TPDE is no longer funded with federal funds, Delaware continues to support the TPDE program through state funding.