Contact Info

Nancy Norman
CHS Main Campus
Room 1-236
407-482-6363

CHS – Tech Prep

The primary goal of Tech Prep is to help students focus on the future and to provide opportunities for rigorous academic experiences and skill development. Opportunities are available to earn Valencia Community College and/or technical center credits for work completed in high school and for passing an assessment in a particular program area.

Tech Prep is:

• Four years of high school linked with two years of post secondary education that lead to Associate of Science degree   and/or a two-year certificate from Valencia Community College or an OCPS Technical Center.

• Technical preparation to develop higher-level technical skills in International Business, Accounting, Agriscience and Natural Resources, Automotive, Building Construction Technology, Business Systems and Management, Business Systems Technology, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Culinary Operations (Food Production) and Commercial Food,   Drafting, Early Childhood Education, Engineering Technology, Electronics, Entrepreneurship, Graphics, Interior Design,   Fashion Marketing, Health, Legal Secretary, Marketing, Music Production Technology, Theater Arts, Travel and Tourism and   TV Production.

• Sequential course of study that builds students’ competence in science, mathematics and communications by integrating academics and technology.

• Preparation for immediate employment in an increasingly competitive and technical workforce.

• Enhancing student retention at the high school and post secondary levels by integrating real life applications with academic knowledge.

• Incorporating special features to encourage individuals with special needs to enroll and be successful.

Who is the Tech Prep Student?

• Students interested in employment in technical fields that require post secondary education.

• Students who wish to pursue an Associate in Science Degree (which may lead to a baccalaureate degree BA at a four year college) or a two-year certificate program.

• Middle majority students who typically select unfocused general education programs.


CHS 2003-2004 Statistics Support Tech Prep:

• 2,134 students (57.6% of student population) signed program plans for tech prep in a wide variety of electives.
• 808 students took an assessment in order to qualify for the Tech Prep credits.
• 96.5 % of Tech Prep students at CHS earned VCC college credits. These credits are held for students for up to two years after they graduate from high school.
• 780 students received VCC college credits.
• CHS students earned 1,322 credits for a total value of $79,941
• Grade point average for CHS students enrolled in Tech Prep is 2.7

Colonial High School offers a wide selection of electives in which students can focus on learning a life long skill and earn college credit for VCC while still in high school. For more information on college credit through Valencia Community College go to http://valencia.cc.fl.us/asdegrees/

Tech Prep students are also eligible for the Florida Bright Futures and Gold Seal Vocational Scholarships. http://firn.edu/doe/brfutures/2002facts.htm

The Following programs are offered at Colonial High School or at one of the four Technical Schools. Students must make application for the program at the Technical Schools. Note: numbers indicate grade level, A indicates Adults.
Download PDF Application Here

Program
Colonial
High
School
Orlando
Tech
Mid Florida Tech
Westside Tech
Winter
High
School
Winter Park Tech
Tech Park East
.
.
.
.
.
Academy of Animal Science and Services
9-12
.
.
.
.
.
Academy of Automotive Services Technology
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
Academy of Automotive Collision, Repair and Refinishing
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
Academy of Information Technology
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (Begins 2005-2006)
9
.
.
.
.
.
Academy of Travel and Tourism (Ends 2007-2008)
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
Accounting Applications I, II
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
Administrative Assistant
.
11-12
11-12
11-12
.
11-12
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating
.
.
11-12, A
11-12, A
.
.
Applied Welding Techniques
.
.
11-12, A
11-12, A
.
.
Architectural Drafting
.
.
11-12, A
11-12, A
.
.
Building Construction Technology
.
.
.
11-12,A
.
.
Business Computer Programming
10-12
.
11-12
.
.
.
Business Systems Technology
9-12
.
.
.
.
.
Computer Programming*
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
Culinary Arts
10-12
.
11-12, A
11-12, A
.
.
Culinary Operations
.
11-12 ,A
.
.
.
.
Cosmetology
.
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
Court Reporting
.
.
..
.
11-12, A
Custom Garment Making/Tailoring
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
.
Commercial Electronic Technology
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Commercial Photography Technology
.
.
11-12, A
11-12
.
11-12, A
Dental Assisting
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
.
Digital Design
10-12
11-12, A
11-12, A
.
11-12, A
Diversified Career Technology (DCT)
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
Early Childhood Education
10-12
11-12, A
.
.
.
.
Electrican
.
.
11-12, A
11-12, A
.
.
Electronics Technology
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Electronic Business Enterprise (E Commerce)
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Floral Design and Marketing
.
.
.
11-12, A
.
Heavy Duty Truck and Bus Mechanic
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Interior Décor Fabrication
.
.
.
.
.
11-12, A
Interior Design
.
.
.
.
.
11-12, A
Jewelry Making and Repair
.
.
.
.
.
11-12, A
Landscape Management
.
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
Legal Secretary
..
.
.
.
.
11-12, A
Machining
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Major Appliance and Refrigerator Repair
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Marine Service Technology
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Marketing, Merchandising and Parts Operations
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Mechanical Drafting
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Medical Assisting
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
.
Medical Laboratory Assisting
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
.
Medical Secretary
.
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
Music Production (Band and Chorus)
9-12
.
.
.
.
.
Network Support Services
.
.
.
11-12, A
.
11-12, A
Networking*
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
Nursery Operations
9-12
.
.
.
.
.
Patient Care Technician (Nursing Assistant) I
.
11-12, A
.
.
11-12
.
Patient Care Technician (Nursing Assistant) II
..
11-12, A
.
.
.
.
PC Support*
10-12
.
.
.
.
.
PC Support Services
.
11-12, A
11-12, A
11-12, A
.
11-12, A
Pharmacy Technician
.
.
.
11-12, A
11-12
.
Printing and Graphic Arts
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
.
Sports Recreational Turf Management
.
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
Theater Arts (Drama)
9-12
.
.
.
.
.
Television Production
10-12
11-12, A
.
11-12, A
.
.
3-D Computer Animation for Video Games & Film
.
.
.
.
.
.
Upholstery and Furniture Refinishing
.
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
Veterinary Assistant
.
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
Web Design*
10-12
.
.
11-12, A
.
.
Web Design Services
.
.
.
.
.
11-12, A
Voice Writing
.
.
.
.
.
11-12, A

 

* For more information see your Tech Prep Coordinator.


Orange County Public Schools • Osceola District Schools • Valencia Community College • Tech Prep Consortium

Important Things to Know

Now that I have signed a Tech Prep Program Plan, what does this mean? You have now been identified as a Tech Prep student and will be eligible to take an assessment upon successful completion of the required course(s).

When will I take the assessment? Your Tech Prep Coordinator will notify you when the assessment will be given at your school. Each program area has a different assessment. It could be a test, interview, portfolio, lab activity or a combination. The assessment is given near the end of the school year.

When will I be notified of the results? You should receive results by the end of the school year. Keep in mind that some areas have many students taking an assessment. Some areas have portfolios that need to be graded, which take more time.

What credits will I earn? Check with your Tech Prep Coordinator for a copy of the Quick Glance Guide or Program of Study, which provides information about the program area in which you are enrolled, since each area offers different credits.

Must I attend Valencia or the Tech Centers in Orange or Osceola County in order to receive the Tech Prep credits? Yes. At Valencia, you must enroll and attend after high school graduation in order to receive the credit. Dual enrollment and early admission do not qualify since these activities take place before high school graduation. In the summer immediately following high school graduation, Session B is the first available session you can receive your Tech Prep credits. At the Tech Centers, any time spent at the technical center during high school applies toward completion of your program once you graduate and enroll as an adult. The credits will expire 24 months after high school graduation.

How will I receive the credits? After attending Valencia for one semester, the credits will be on your college transcript. We must have your social security number on file in the Tech Prep office at Valencia in order for the credits to automatically post to your transcripts. Upon enrolling at a Tech Center, your competencies from high school will be evaluated and recorded by your instructor.

Do I have to pay for these credits earned through Tech Prep? At Valencia, you don’t have to pay for credits earned through Tech Prep, but you must pay the regular application fee to the college when enrolling and for any other courses you may take. At the Tech Centers, there are no fees for competencies earned prior to high school graduation and transferred. Enrollment in a Tech Center following graduation requires payment of tuition, books, and any other supplies.

Can I be in more than one Tech Prep program? Yes

Can I also be eligible for a Bright Futures Scholarship? Yes, check with your Tech Prep Coordinator or Guidance Counselor for information about the Bright Futures Scholarship.

Can I transfer this college credit to other colleges after attending Valencia? At Valencia, if you earn an A.S. degree (a career program that is usually no longer than two years) or a certificate program (usually one year), the credits may serve as part of the program requirements or as elective credits. If you earn an A.A. degree (which transfers to a Florida university), the credits might serve as an elective toward the degree earned at Valencia.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t plan to earn an associate’s degree at Valencia, but plan to go directly to a university, you should check with that university about whether they would accept Tech Prep credits. Even though you can attend Valencia for a class to receive your Tech Prep credits, the college you will be attending will determine whether these credits will be accepted. Equivalent credits may be awarded at Seminole Community College in some areas. Check with the admissions office at SCC for more info.

Is there Financial Aid available to attend school? Check with the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend.

Who can I contact if I have questions? Contact the Tech Prep Coordinator.

For further information:

Orange County Public Schools Technical Education Centers
Mid Florida Tech 407.855.5880 ext. 2421 (website)
Orlando Tech 407.246.7060 ext. 4832 (website)
Westside Tech 407.905.2016 (website)
Winter Park Tech 407.622.2907 (website)

Valencia Community College
Tech Prep Office: 407.582.2914 email: tmahana@valenciacc.edu

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Main Campus: 6100 Oleander Drive • Orlando, Florida 32807 • Phone: 407.482.6300 • Fax: 407.737.1450
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Colonial High School is part of the Orange County Public School system.
Webmaster: Christian A. Dickinson • © 2005 CHS Web Team
Last Edited: 9/7/05