Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. (Tech Prep Inc.), is a Texas nonprofit and federal 501(c)(3) corporation that leads the Lower Rio Grande Valley Tech Prep Consortium, whose members include 32 independent school districts, 6 colleges and universities, the Region One Education Service Center, and other organizations. Tech Prep RGV works with employers and educators throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley (Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties) on various initiatives designed to inform students of the needs to pursue rigorous academic courses and to help students, parents, and educators understand how the world of work has changed–that there is a need for students to graduate with not only academic skills, but also high-tech, work-related skills. The members and partners of Tech Prep RGV work on various initiatives to encourage students to achieve at high levels and to understand the relationship between education and careers. Infusing real-world applications into curriculum taught in the public schools is one strategy adopted by Tech Prep RGV.

Beginning in 1999, Tech Prep RGV began developing a work-based learning curriculum tied to local employers’ needs. In Summer 2000 and Summer 2002, Tech Prep RGV sponsored educator internships in which educators worked closely with Rio Grande Valley employer partners and developed instructional curriculum and counseling materials based on experiences at employer worksites. The program was expanded through a partnership with the Academic Leadership Alliance in Summer 2003. Participating employers have reviewed and endorsed the materials developed by the educators. The ALA partnership has been expanded - with resulting expanded Careers in Action curriculum every year since inception. The result is Tech Prep RGV’s current employer-endorsed Careers in Action curriculum.

The Careers in Action curriculum is a work-based learning curriculum for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. TEKS, TAAS, and “soft skills”—behavioral skills valued by employers--are taught as students actually experience a specific career area at each grade level. Curriculum developed utilizes either a TEKStar format or a lesson plan format meeting all state requirements. All curriculum supports implementation of a vertical team approach as well as implementation of broad career pathways in which careers are viewed in career clusters. The foundation of career awareness/exploration throughout the elementary and middle school years prepares students to understand their career options as they plan for high school. High school students then experience more in-depth career-related learning activities as they make plans for their post-high school futures.

The following Careers in Action resources listed below are available as of August 31, 2005. Supplemental "hard copy" information may be obtained by contacting Tech Prep RGV's Education Development Specialist.

Course-Specific Materials:

• Accounting for high school with applications from a bank
• Administrative Procedures for high school with applications from a law office
• Algebra/Geometry for high school with applications from an architectural firm
• Career Investigation for middle school with applications from an economic development organization
• Chemistry for high school with applications from a medical clinic
• Criminal Justice for high school with applications from a police department
• English for high school with applications from a newspaper publishing office
• Geometry course with applications from an engineering firm
• Mathematics for high school with applications from a manufacturing firm
• Math/Algebra for high school with applications from a construction company
• Reading I for high school with applications from a restaurant and a hotel
• Science for eighth grade with applications from a hospital
• Spanish I for high school with applications from a university’s public health office
• Spanish I and II for high school with applications from bank
• Special Education English Language Arts, Reading, and Mathematics for high school with applications from city government and the hospitality industry
• World History for high school with applications from a museum For additional information, contact Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.