What can you say about
a partnership that provided 300 Anchorage School
District high school students with nearly 1200 graded
undergraduate credits at the University of Alaska
Anchorage last year? “That’s incredible” would
be the likely answer. The UAA Tech Prep Program is
a little known jewel that is making giant strides
toward connecting high school students with post
secondary education here in our own city.
The Tech Prep Program began in 2002 with the goal
of “partnering secondary education with post-secondary
education in a sequential course of study without
duplication of coursework that will lead a student
to a certificate, credential, apprenticeship, associate
degree, or baccalaureate degree.” A rigorous
and thorough review of King Career Center courses
with similar courses/programs offered at the Community
and Technical College of the University of Alaska
Anchorage was undertaken. Courses in the Anchorage
School District and at the King Career Center that
aligned and articulated with UAA courses/programs
received Tech Prep approval. The following KCC courses
have Tech Prep agreements: Aviation Maintenance Technology,
Aviation Technology, Computer Electronics Technology,
Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood
Education, and Health Occupations. Based on the success
of the UAA Tech Prep Program, the Tech Prep staff
received a grant to build a statewide Tech Prep Consortium.
The enrollment procedure follows UAA’s process
whereby KCC students fill out a UAA registration
form, submit payment for UAA enrollment. Students
at King Career Center pay $25 per credit and the
final grade they receive in their KCC class is also
recorded on their official UAA transcript. These
credit hours are transferable to any accredited university.
The Tech Prep Program has a very positive effect
on both students and faculties at both institutions.
It has helped UAA faculty and staff to better understand
and appreciate the courses, instructors and programs
of the King Career Center and allowed KCC teachers
to understand how their courses articulate through
similar programs at UAA. Students are very proud
and impressed with the UAA credit they receive which,
if they continue to pursue a degree program, accelerates
them toward completion. Most importantly, it creates
a seamless transition from high school to post secondary
education. |
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The UAA-KCC Tech Prep partnership
is a true reason be proud of how two institutions
can work together for the benefit of their constituents.
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